By Taiye Olayemi

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, said his organization will join forces with the Nigerian Television Authority  (NTA) to fight menace of rape in the country.

 Runsewe said this in a statement released after his visit to the Director-General (NTA), Mallam Yakubu Mohammed, on Wednesday at NTA headquarters, Abuja.

He said efforts by the NTA on the issues of rape in Nigeria had reduced its rate as indicated by statistics from other states of the federation.

Runsewe said the sustained dissemination of information and condemnation of rape by NTA had gone a long way to sensitise rape victims and their families on what to do and whom to complain to when they fall victim of rape.

According to him, no aspect of Nigerian or African custom or tradition supports rape and as such the NCAC will throw its weight behind any institution that is ready to fight rape and rapists in Nigeria.

Runsewe said that he found in NTA, a formidable ally in sensitising Nigerians on the dangers of rape and the consequences on its victims.

He added that NTA and NCAC could form the needed synergy required to fight rapists all over the country.

According to the statement, NTA Director-General affirmed his support for the Federal Government as it is determined to eradicate the scourge of banditry, kidnapping and rape.

It said the NTA had decided to be in the forefront to fight rapists and all other social vices in Nigeria.

It quoted Mohammed as saying: ”an acronym “STAR” – Stand Against Rape” has already been adopted to fight against this social vice called rape.

”Rape is a pandemic that must be tackled with all determination.

”We, in NTA, promise to put in our best to fight rape and rapists and ensure it is reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria,” he added.