Itoro Eze-Anaba of Mirabel Centre honoured by Queen Elizabeth II

Itoro Eze Anaba

Queen Elizabeth II of England has honoured Itoro Eze-Anaba, founder of the Mirabel Centre, with the Commonwealth Point of Light Award, Punch reports.

The award was made known in a statement released by Joseph Abuku, the Media Officer of the British High Commission in Nigeria.

The Mirable Centre, founded in 2013, caters to the welfare of sexual assault victims across the country.

The Commission described Miracle Centre as a “key service provider,” saying:

The Mirabel Centre has established itself as a key service provider for victims of sexual assault in Lagos State, with an increasing number of clients accessing the centre, indicating a growing awareness among members of the public of the existence of the centre and the crucial services it provides.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria Paul Arkwright, who presented the award to Eze-Anaba, praised her, saying she has provided a safe haven for victims. He said:

Itoro has shown impressive dedication to supporting victims of sexual assault and rape.

She has provided a safe haven for over 2,800 survivors of this heinous crime and has encouraged thousands of others to break the silence on rape and seek prosecution of perpetrators, reducing their impunity.

The Mirabel Centre is a project of Partnership for Justice where rape and sexual assault victims can access free forensic medical and counseling services.

Eze-Anaba, expressing her delight at receiving the award, condemned rape, and described the award as the beginning of a joint effort of stamping it out. She said:

I am delighted that the Point of Light has been awarded to highlight the importance of tackling rape and sexual assault.

Rape is evil, degrading and dehumanising.

On behalf of the dedicated, tireless and resolute team that is determined to give voice to the voiceless, strength to the weak and hope to the hopeless, I am sure that this award marks the beginning of a joint effort to uproot this evil that relentlessly battles for our future.

This award is a reiteration of our message of “No To Rape!”