Politics

Shun Hate Speeches – NHRC Boss Tells Political Actors

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By Wale Oluokun

National Human Rights Commission has advised political actors to shun hate speeches and conduct that could infringe on the constitutional rights of the citizens.

The Ogun state Coordinator of the Commission, Mr Olu Shodeinde gave the advice at the Gubernatorial Town Hall on Human Rights organized by the Ogun State office in Abeokuta.

In attendance at the meeting include the Ogun state Commissioner of Police, representatives of civil society groups, the Nigeria Bar Association and political parties.

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu represented by the Director, of Civil and Political Rights, Mr Abdulrahman Yakubu called on politicians to protect the rights of Nigerians to participate in governance including the right to vote and to also aspire for positions.

He commended the Ogun office for organizing the non-partisan town hall meeting.

The commissioner of Police, Ogun state command, Mr Lanre Bankole while addressing the gathering assured that the Nigeria Police would continue to respect the human rights of all citizens stating that, all security agencies in the Ogun state would provide the enabling environment for a free, fair and credible election in the state.

Some of the speakers at the Town Hall meeting on Human Rights in Abeokuta expressed displeasure on the non-appearance of many candidates to explain their blueprint on Human Rights for Ogun state.

The three gubernatorial candidates that attended the Ogun State town hall on Human Rights are Asiwaju Tony Ojesina of the Social Democratic Party who arrived at the venue a few minutes before the event started, Mr Cyrus Johnson of People Redemption Party and Dr Samuel Adeyemi Of Action Alliance who joined the event midway.

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Judiciary

Sexual Abuse: We need parents, caregivers’ support – Oyo AG

By Web News 885

For justice to be served for survivors of child sexual abuse and rape there is the need for strong synergy among caregivers, medical practitioners, law enforcement agencies and civil society organizations.

This formed part of resolutions at a stakeholders’ roundtable dialogue on response to child sexual abuse in Ibadan.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Oyo State, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo said cases of child sexual abuse against perpetrators hit major setbacks when family members frustrate legal processes by refusing to cooperate with relevant agencies.

Represented by the coordinator, Oyo State Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team, Mrs Dupe Awosemusi, the Attorney General also highlighted lack or improper medical report of the victim, withdrawal of interest from victims and pressure from the community as another bane of justice delivery.

Professor Oyewo who disclosed that eighty per cent of perpetrators of child sexual abuse are family members urged parents to be vigilant and protect their children, especially during the Yuletide when people are likely to visit.

In his contribution, a chief consultant, Forensic Pathology, University Teaching Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Dr Uwom Eze said the improper ways of collecting forensic evidence from survivor of child sexual abuse by some medical practitioners have stalled justice for victims.

Dr Eze Advised any child who is sexually abused to immediately visit the one-stop-shop centre where all necessary assistances are available for such cases.

Also speaking, a research scientist from Tai Sholarin University, Ogun State, Professor Samuel Oladipo while presenting recent findings on survivors of sexual abuse in Nigeria, said many were victims of circumstances from broken homes.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Convener, Executive Director, Hope for Second Chance Foundation, Mrs Ibukunoluwa Otesile said the stakeholders’ dialogue was borne out of the increasing cases of child sexual abuse despite the fight against the menace over the years.

Present at the stakeholders’ dialogue were community leaders, police, representatives of the Ministry of Education, National Human Rights Commission and CSOs.

Mosope Kehinde

Lifestyle

Human Rights Commission Seeks More Support for the Elderly

By Web News 595

The Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission, Mr Anthony Ojukwu says the Commission is committed to mainstreaming the rights of older persons into its policies and programmes.

He made this known when he receive  members of the Journalists network for ageing in Nigeria JONAN, led by FCT NUJ secretary of council, Ochiaka Agwu.

According to Ojukwu: “The commission has rightly identified that older persons have rights just like any other person, so it does make sense that as younger persons, we should prepare for our old age by protecting the rights of older persons, it is enlightened self interest”.

He pledged the support of the commission in the achievement of JONAN’s plan of action.

The secretary of the council, NUJ Agwu Ochiaka Agwu thanked the Executive secretary for the role he played in setting the tone for the advocacy for the rights of older persons and appealed for the commission to support JONAN morally and financially to achieve its aim of bringing the rights of older persons to the fore.

According to Ochiaka Agwu:” Journalists come together to advance the rights of older persons because everybody is growing older and when we grow old, we pray that our rights and privileges would be respected “.

The Chairman of JONAN, Maxwell Esiegbe  appealed to the National human rights commission to partner with the network to advance the cause of older persons. He said the network is poised to commence work immediately.

The Network of Journalist for aging was inaugurated after training for journalist on aging organized by the NUJ FCT Council in collaboration with the Dave Omokaro foundation with a mandate to give a voice to the elderly.

Hadiza Abdulrahman