Rights violation: Nigerians must take their destiny in own hands, says Prof. Oyebode

…..As CDHR marks 30th anniversary

On Apr 25, 2019

 

Ayodele Olalere

 

The Nigerian human rights community has urged Nigerians to stand up and fight against rights violation in the country.

 

At the 30th anniversary celebration of the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), in Lagos, on Thursday, Guest Speaker, Prof. Akin Oyebode, while speaking on the theme: ‘Achieving a Functional Human Rights Enforcement Regime in a Liberal Democracy: Chronicling the Struggle and Identifying the Way Forward’, lamented Nigerian government’s bad records on human rights violation.

 

The erudite scholar said until Nigerians rose up and “take their destiny in their hands,” governments would continue to trample on their rights.

 

Said he, “The people are suffering. Nigeria has not risen to the consciousness where Nigerians will take their destiny in their hands.

 

“The Nigerian people are still being denied of their rights to go the heaven the way they want on account of the infelicity and encumbrances of the extant constitution.  “The task of making the Nigerian people masters of their own destiny is still very much a work in progress

 

“This is a funny federation where states go begging the federal government every month with begging bowls. The people can achieve a lot if they are strong and united. 

“Nigeria has a gross record of human rights violation. There is a high level of apathy and tolerance from the masses.

“We must campaign against human rights violation,” he said.

 

He added, “There is a need to ensure commitments from the government and its agencies. No efforts should be spared in ensuring Nigeria government imbibes the best international practice in human rights.”

In his address, the President, CDHR, Comrade Malachy Ugwumadu, said the organisation was initially established “with the aim of helping those whom were wrongfully detained by the oppressive ruling class” during the military era, but has now “metamorphosed into a giant human rights organization driven with the passion to render assistance to any person whose rights were and are being trampled upon.”

Those in attendance at the event included Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Prof. Julius Ihonvhere, former 2^nd Vice President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, Dele Adesina (SAN), and other top dignitaries. 

CDHR @ 30: Translating Idea into Action

By Lanre Arogundade

CDHR 30TH ANNIVERSARY, A PROSPECT OF FULFILMENT

Please visit the link below to view the 30th anniversary photographs:

http://cdhrnigeria.org/en/example-pages/photo-gallery/20-cdhr-30th-anniversary/detail/123-cdhr-30th-anniversary?phocaslideshow=1&tmpl=component

And you can also visit the YouTube link video:

https://youtu.be/o2j-V6pVZ6E

INVITATION TO THE THIRTIETH (30TH) ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS (CDHR)

To Chairmen of State Branches

Dear Sir,

INVITATION TO THE THIRTIETH (30TH) ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS (CDHR)

Our esteemed organization, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) will be thirty (30) years in April, 2019 as a human rights organization in Nigeria. Within these three (3) decades of its existence (1989 -2019), CDHR has dedicated itself to rights campaigns and advocacy in Nigeria and across Africa. The National Executive Committee (NEC), on behalf of the Board of Trustees (BOT) therefore feels deeply delighted to notify and invite our esteemed members across our Units and State Branches to the CDHR’s 30th Anniversary.

The Anniversary event, which will be under the Chairmanship of Professor Wole Soyinka, is scheduled to hold as follows:

DATE: Thursday, the 25^th of April, 2019

TIME: 10am prompt

VENUE: CitiHeights Hotel, 6 Sheraton Link Road, Opebi, Ikeja

THEME: “Chronicling the Struggle and Identifying the Way Forward”

A lecture on “Achieving a Functional Human Rights Enforcement Regime in a Liberal Democracy” will be delivered by Prof. Akin Oyebode, with solidarity messages from other leading progressive organizations and individuals. The chosen theme of the event will reflect on CDHR’s past and provide fresh insights into the future. There will also be a book presentation on the same theme as well as a brief documentary on the struggles of our heroes and the Nigerian people. The event shall be declared open by the special guest of honour, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, (SAN), GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Branch Chairmen are hereby encouraged to mobilize, coordinate and ensure the attendance of their respective state members. With deep concern however, NEC sincerely regret to state that States are encouraged to make arrangement on the logistics and other matters with respect to the participation of their members.  Please, kindly confirm the attendance of your Branch with any of the following: Comrade Yinka Folarin on 08039570087 and Mary Imasuen on 08176099881.

Please, accept the assurances of our best wishes as we are looking forward to seeing you and members of your respective Branches attend and grace the event.

Yours sincerely,

 

Comrade Malachy Ugwummadu                                                                                              

President, CDHR

CDHR condemns killings in Lagos, Zamfara, Kaduna, others

The Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) yesterday charged the Nigeria Police to end extra-judicial and senseless killings of Nigerians.The group, headed by Malachy Ugwummadu, hinged its call on the recent killings of citizens in Lagos, Zamfara, Kaduna and Rivers states, among others.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Henry Peter Ekine, it decried the level to which some policemen have degenerated and derailed from acceptable standards of policing in the discharge of their duties. It threatened to mobilise Nigerians to prevail on Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, for effective policing in the country if the trend continues.

CDHR also decried the absence of citizens-friendly policing in Nigeria, stressing that the nation’s police have failed in their core role of securing lives and property, as well as protecting citizens’ fundamental rights, especially the right to life.

The group, therefore, enjoined the Police to stop the baseless killings of innocent Nigerians, almost on a daily basis in Lagos and other parts of the country. It lamented failure of the Police to secure and protect lives and property, as well as prevent the killings of citizens anywhere in Nigeria.

CDHR asserted that the killing of Kolade Johnson and Stephen Urueye clearly revealed the disturbing level of unprofessionalism in the Police and the officers’ insensitivity to the lives of citizens. Also, it demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari should immediately declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, Kaduna and Rivers states for the incessant killings, kidnapping and high level of insecurity in those states.

“The crisis in Zamfara has defied mild actions and seemed to have overwhelmed the Police, while the clashes, killings and kidnapping in Kaduna State have risen to disturbing levels. “Besides, the recurring kidnapping in different parts of Rivers State, especially the Emohua-Rumuji-Ndele axis, has assumed very disturbing dimensions and should immediately be brought to an end,” it stated.

Also, following a recent attack by bandits, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, visited Kakangi Community in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area where he condemned the incident. The governor, who was accompanied by some government officials and security chiefs, described the attack as inhuman and ungodly, assuring residents of government’s commitment to restore peace and security in the area and other troubled parts of the state.

Meanwhile, Adamu has ordered deployment of a Special Task Force to Katsina to help tackle incessant kidnapping and banditry in eight frontline local government areas of Jibiya, Danmusa, Faskari, Dandume, Kankara, Batsari, Safana and Sabuwa.

All the local government areas share border with the Rugu Forest from where bandits and kidnappers reportedly carry out their operations. The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Sanusi Buba, who disclosed this yesterday, said the officers would be stationed at three strategic locations for quick movement to the affected areas.