8th July, 2011
Popular Nollywood actress, Mrs. Stella Damasus and a musician, Sola Idowu, a.k.a. Weird M.C. have condemned the alleged murder of a banker and mother of one, Titilayo Arowolo, 29 by her husband, Akolade Arowolo at their residence in Isolo area of Lagos State.
Expressing her anguish at the incident during a programme organised by Project Alert, a human rights group against violence on women, Stella Damasus said: “I was pained when I got news of her death. I don’t know her in person but as a fellow human being with flesh and blood, I felt bad for her. Marriage should not be a death sentence to anyone but to be enjoyed by both parties irrespective of their gender.â€
She urged the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs to follow up the case and ensure that justice was done.
The screen diva also explained that enlightenment programmes should be carried out throughout primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the country to educate students and put an end to such act in the future.
Sola Idowu, a.k.a. Weird M.C. also condemned the gruesome murder, saying: “This is a sad day for me. I was speechless when I got the news. Women out there should shine their eyes very well before going into any relationship.
“Check the psychology of your spouse before he turns to Mohammed Ali and turn you into his punching bag and start beating you day and night. Women should also learn Taekwondo as a means of surviving any act of domestic violence against them anywhere.â€
She appealed to the print, broadcast and online media to help spread the gospel against domestic violence on women and young girls so as to give them a sense of belonging in all spheres of life.
Earlier, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, had assured the group that the state government would conduct its investigation to ensure that justice prevailed.
She said that a committee would be set-up to keep an eye on the case, adding that the government would implement the state child right and domestic violence laws, to curb violence against women and children.
The Executive Chairman of Project Alert, Mrs. Josephine-Effah Chukwuma considered Titilayo’s murder as animalistic, cruel and inhumane, adding that Akolade must not go unpunished.
The 29-year old murdered banker was a staff of Skye Bank.
—Ibrahim Bakare