The President of Nigeria Bar Association,
Learned Senior Advocates,
Members of Human Rights Governing Council,
Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with joy and excitement that I welcome you all on this 25th day of November to the first day of our 16 days of human rights activism against gender- based violence. As we assemble here in our prestigious NBA House, in the Federal capital Territory Abuja, all branches at their various states are doing same with commitment and pride.
This is the first time in the history of our noble association that this landmark event is being witnessed. We thank our proactive leader, Mazi Afam Osigwe , SAN for this innovation that had brought joy to Nigerian citizens in general and the profession in particular. We also thank the Chairmen of all the NBA branches particularly the Vice chairmen across Nigeria for their understanding, cooperation and commitment to achieving this course.
Distinguished Colleagues, so much is expected of us by Nigerians particularly in the area of human rights protection. Currently, the perception of the general public on our profession is appalling. Their disdain indeed calls for an urgent legal surgery. This 16 days of activism is one of those surgeries we have embarked upon to change the perception of Nigerians in our favor. We would be advancing women’s rights, bridging gender gaps and empowering minority groups to create equitable and just society.
We are also expected to show Nigerians, particularly the less privileged attention, love, care and concern as reasonably as practicable. As the voice of the voiceless and the last hope of the common man, this responsibility is undeniable. This 16 days of activism is a serious call to duty. It is not the period of Jamboree but an eventful outing to resonate hope and courage to members of the society, especially those whose hope is lost in the profession in particular and the country in general. At the end of the entire exercise every branch would turn in their records of achievement within the 16 days earmarked.
Yes, because of the seriousness attached to this year’s human rights activism we have prepared awards for the first, second and third winners amongst the branches.
This will be the first time in our association’s history to have this in place. The winner of this award shall be the branch with the highest number of released suspects from the Police Stations and inmates from Correctional Centers.
Note, only the inmates and suspects released within these 16 days of activism would be considered for the award.
We therefore urge each state to pay courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of their State and pray him to pay prison/correctional center visit within the 16 days of activism, with the view to releasing deserving inmates from custody. Each branch is expected to send to us names or number of such inmates released for statistical collation. The award is slated for the 10th day of December 2024, being the day globally set aside for commemoration of human rights.
To make this human rights activism effective now and always, a five man monitoring committee have been set up to monitor and send in reports of activities. The chairman of the committee is Mr Christopher Gabriel Adikwu, while Mr Charles Afolabi serves as secretary.
Others are;
1) Adam Tanko Jibril
2) Ojile Abah Nathaniel
3) Promise N. Amadi
The Institute has lined up speakers, key note address presenters and other panelists/ discussants on the 10th day of December, 2024 under the universal human rights theme ;
“ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE BORN FREE AND EQUAL IN DIGNITY AND RIGHTS”.
The event shall commence by 9am on 10th day of December, 2024 at NBA’s House. The keynote speaker is our own one and only Ayo Obe, a human rights activist, Tv and Radio presenter, Fundly called by many ” Female version of Femi Falana SAN”.
The other panelists/discussants are;
Prof Sam Amadi (Human Rights Activist). He is one of the few Nigerians who have swung in the murkey Nigerian waters coming out unstained.
Mr Atah Ochinke, former Chairman of the NBA Calabar branch and Former AG & Commissioner of Justice, Cross River State.
We also have our own Ikeazor Akaraiwe SAN, former 1st VP of NBA.
The speakers and the discussants shall be moderated by a shining star and a proud female activist, Mimi Ayua Esq.
We are ready to set NBA house on fire on the 10th day of December 2024. You need not be told but be practically and physically present even as I urge all branch chairmen snd their vice to make this event a memorable one.
Wishing us all a beautiful and a rewarding outing.
SABASTINE ANYIA ESQ,
NBA 1st VICE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE.
