By: Tochi Onyeubi
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Owerri Branch, has successfully held a one day workshop, with the theme, “The Challenges of Human Right Enforcement in Nigeria”, to mark the 2017 Human Rights Day, at the state High court complex in the state.
The Honourable Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice P. O Nnadi in his welcome speech said in futherance to human Right issues, efforts are being made with his team, to fast track those awaiting trial inmates in its bid to decongest the prison, while urging lawyers to take matters relating to human rights seriously and with a human face.
In a keynote address presented by the Chairman, Human Right Committee, NBA Owerri, Barr. Mrs Franca .N. Otuokere, she informed that, on the 10th of December, 1984 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which gave rise to the passage of the resolution 423(v) , inviting all member states and interested organisations to observe the Human Rights Day, every 10th December.
She informed that the NBA Owerri branch, marked this year’s human right day with a number of activities ranging from newstalk on the 2017 Human Right Day at the Orient fm Owerri, advocacy visits to some churches in Owerri on Sunday 10th December enlightening the public on their rights and remedies available to them, while adding that, the workshop was the highpoint of the weeklong activities.
She however, lauded the NBA in her service to the nation and humanity through her pro – bono services, urging lawyers to participate actively in the pro – bono services of the body, inorder to reach out to the indigent members of the society who are in dire need of regaining their God given freedom but are not able to afford legal services, while thanking the Chief Judge of Imo state, Hon. Justice P.O Nnadi and NBA Owerri branch for their massive show of support.
In his lecture, “The Challenges of Human Right Enforcement in Nigeria”, Prof. U. U Chukwumaeze represented by Senior Lecturer, H. C Alisigwe, after going through the classification of Human Rights and its origin in Nigeria, outlined the challenges to include, the Law vis a vis the constitution, Institutions, which he listed under Judicial passivity and executive lawlessness, Poverty, Unemployment and Lack of Basic Infrastructure and our individual attitudes to human rights issues.
He concluded by saying that, Nigeria is not exempted from topical issues arising from the fight against human rights violation adding that, if we consider our lives as one to be lived, within the allure and confines of the law, enforcing the human rights provision howsoever contained in our law become the irreducible minimum towards living the good life.
High point of the workshop was the citation of the lecturer, Prof. U. U Chukwumaeze, by the Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Imo State, Lady Nkiru Okafor, LLM.
