A Lagos-based anti-rape activist and founder of Mirabel Centre, Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba has been given a Commonwealth award  for her unrelenting work by Queen Elizabeth II of England.

The Queen on Tuesday honoured Mrs. Eze-Anaba with the Fourth Commonwealth Point of Light award for her role in helping victims of sexual assault.

According to a statement signed by Joe Abuku, a spokesperson for the United Kingdom High Commission in Abuja, the honour is part of various activities marking the build-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (GHOGM) scheduled to hold between 19-20 April in London and Windsor.

According to Abuku, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright presented Mrs. Eze-Anaba with the award during an event held at the residence of the British High Commission in Abuja.

The Queen, as Head of the Commonwealth is appreciating nations and individuals for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond.

Mrs. Eze-Anaba said she was delighted to be honoured for highlighting the effects of rape and sexual assault, adding that the recognition would spur her and her team towards uprooting the menace which she said was battling the future of the nation.

“I am delighted that a Point of Light has been awarded to highlight the importance of tackling rape and sexual assault. Rape is degrading and dehumanizing,” Eze-Anaba said in a statement to the UK High Commission.

While dedicating the award to her tireless and resolute team, she added: “I am sure that this award marks the beginning of a joint effort to uproot this evil that relentlessly battles for our future.”

The Point of Light awards which began in the United States in the early 1990s frequently recognizes outstanding volunteers, individuals and organizations whose services are making a difference in their environments and whose story can inspire others to create innovative solutions to social challenges in their own communities and beyond.