By NewsBits
Despite the controversial five days sit-at-home order declared by Finland based pro Biafra leader, Simon Ekpa, which raised security issues, the Human Rights Day in Enugu was observed successfully.
Even when the Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB had cancelled the order, there was tension all around. Two persons were shot dead by hoodlums trying to enforce the sit-at-home in Enugu, yet the NHRC Enugu State office joined the rest of the world to mark 2022 International Human Rights Day.
Speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN said the essence of the day was to celebrate the ideology of a universal human family carefully espoused almost 75 years ago through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
He said the day is very important as it is a day set aside by the United Nations for introspection on values of human life, dignity, equality, and freedom of all human beings regardless of peculiar circumstances.
‘Though races, tongues and skin colour may differ, in brotherhood, the human race must stand. According to him, there is no better time than now for the message of UDHR, a milestone document to resonate more with us in a world which is constantly threatened by so many divisive factors along several fault lines such as religion, poverty, pandemic linked to several conspiracy theories, climate change, terrorism, insurgency etc.
“NHRC as a national institution established for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria, this year’s celebration amplifies the plight of over 133 million Nigerians living in multi dimensional poverty, the millions of out of school children (highest in the world), the millions of our brothers and sisters internally displaced by conflicts and floods across the country, the thousands of women and children survivors of Gender Based Violence etc as challenges requiring collective solutions by all.”
He noted that the theme for this year’s celebration, “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All” should be taken as a clarion call to all human family to remember that the quest for peace, freedom, justice and other solutions to our troubled world, we should always call to mind the preamble of the UDHR which says, “… recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace to the world.
The State Coordinator Enugu State NHRC, Dr Valentine Madubuko who represented the Executive Secretary thanked stakeholders and enjoined all to continue in the fight to promote and protect human rights of all citizens in the state.
In their goodwill messages Hon Ezenwa Nicodemus, Southeast Coordinator of Whistle Blowers Anti-Corruption Reporting Network (WARN); Mr Frank Akuma, Executive Director of Center For Children and Youth Counseling and Mr. Eddie Onu of Solid 100.9 FM Radio Station, Enugu, assured the Commission of their continued commitment in collaborating with the Commission and in promoting and protecting human rights in the state.
Earlier, the Staff of the Commission had a low-key Road Walk within New Haven area if the Enugu capital and its environ because of the palpable fear of the security challenges witnessed in Enugu Metropolis same day. The Road Walk was to celebrate as well create the needed awareness about the NHRC and international human rights day celebration.
