Group picture of the participants at the programme
By Eruotor Cynthia
As Nigeria marked its 64th Independence Anniversary celebration, Human Rights Protection Congress otherwise known as Citizens’ Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative has asked Government at all levels to formulate policies and programmes that are people’s oriented. The body made this known as the organization marked its 2nd Annual Congress Dialogue Day to commemorate 64th years anniversary of Nigeria Independence which was held on Wednesday, at Jubilee Conference Centre, Old Enerhen Road, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State.
In his address, the Chairman of Board of Trustee, Citizens’ Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative otherwise known as Human Protection Congress, Amb.(Comrade) Edewor Egedegbe said when the government at all levels are formulating policies, they should do so with the interest of the citizens at heart based on section 14 of 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which states:” The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice, it is hereby, accordingly declared that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom Government through its constitution derives all its power and authority..’
Group picture of the Executive members of the organization at the programme
According to him, the material resources of the nation should be harnessed and distributed as best possible to serve the common good as that is only way the hunger in the country can be abated. Amb.(Comrade) Egedegbe said, it is written boldly on the faces of Nigerians that they are not happy with the way Nation’s resources are harnessed that do not have direct impact on the lives of the people, the action which has caused imbalance in the promotion and economic development of the country.
He said, when the organization cries out for the betterment of the people, it is not fighting the Government or its institution as its mission and vision is not to do so, but collaborate with and engage the Government’s institution to enhance and promote the dignity of every Nigerian citizen as contained in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said:” The vision of the organization is to see that every citizen of Nigeria rights and privileges are respected irrespective of tribe, religion, colour among others, while the vision is to enhance citizens’ capacity through training/public enlightenment campaign, dialogue and work with other stakeholders’ to ensure probity and accountability in governance and society.
“When we see the policies that are not pro-people, we come out and call on the government to do the needful, that is what our organization is established to do. We are the voices to the voiceless citizens of Nigeria, we are ready to engage the government at all levels to do the needful especially with respect to the high cost of living that is biting on the citizen harshly and corruption that gotten to its zenith in Nigeria unabated with plethora of agencies”.
Amb. (Comrade) Egedegbe who said the organization works in conjunction with Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative and Shamar Educational Foundation, said, before and after the organization’s registration, it has carried out different humanitarian activities in society in general adding that, to enable the organization achieve its aims and objectives, it has embarked on several interactions including advocacy visit to Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Director General of Security, Delta State among others, on the need to enhance security of lives and property and foster enduring peace in the state and beyond.
Panel of discussants
His words:”Members of HRPC also paid advocacy visit to the Director, Legal Services of Delta State House of Assembly in order to familiarize with the laws of Delta State and how these laws enacted, can be enforced for the betterment of citizens”.
He therefore called on the Judiciary, being the hope of common man, to urgently revamp legal system for Nigerians to have real independence just as he sued for the Judiciary to be independent by having its budget, appointment of Judges -all to be free from the hands and influence of Executive. He also said the citizens should play their part by living a right and carry out their roles as enshrined in the constitution. He expressed gratitude to His Lordship, Hon.Justice A.O Akpovi, Judge of State High Court 2, Warri, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State,the Commissioner of Police, among others, to have honoured the invitation
Participants at the programme
In paper presentation on the theme of the programme titled:” Nigeria at 64,. Delayed Justice in Nigerian Judicial System: What can be done differently? “, the Guest Speaker, His Lordship, Hon .Justice A.O.Akpovi, Judge of the State High court 2 , Warri, said there are many reasons Justice is delayed, which to him, among others, frequent adjournments of cases, delay in Police’ investigations into a case, lack of finance to carry out logistics as regards a case and therefore called for overview of the entire process to speed up cases to get justice as at when due just as he charged citizens to play their roles to ensure that justice is not delayed.
The highlight of the programme was the constitution of panel of discussants on the theme- the way forward and questions and answers.