Category: International News

….As some human rights activists in Nigeria, including Mr. Femi Falana, SAN; Richard Akinnola, and Omoyele Sowore, yesterday, tasked the media to report human rights abuses by the current administration.

In a significant step towards enhancing human rights advocacy and reporting in Nigeria, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, addressed a gathering of journalists and media practitioners at the “Human Rights Media Parley Agenda 2023” held at the Sheraton Ikeja in Lagos yesterday.

Rafsanjani began his remarks by expressing gratitude to the media for their continuous support of Amnesty International’s human rights work in Nigeria, acknowledging that their coverage of Amnesty’s press releases, reports, and briefings has played a pivotal role in shedding light on various human rights issues in the country.

However, the Chairman highlighted the importance of improved reportage on certain human rights abuses that have occurred in recent times but received limited media attention. He urged for greater synergy between Amnesty International and journalists to address this issue and to collectively advance the cause of human rights and justice in Nigeria.

“This media roundtable served as an opportunity for the media to engage directly with Amnesty International representatives and gain insights into the organization’s human rights agenda and strategies. Rafsanjani emphasized the willingness of Amnesty International to partner with the media in documenting, reporting, and exposing human rights violators and seeking justice for victims.

“A key aspect of this collaboration involves educating journalists and media practitioners about the human rights situation in Nigeria, enabling them to better understand the realities on the ground and forming a strong network of human rights reporters across the country.

Amnesty International plans to equip journalists with the necessary tools for human rights documentation and reporting, while also building a network of media professionals to disseminate Amnesty’s work both in Nigeria and globally. This network will enable real-time reporting of human rights violations.

Rafsanjani discussed the need for journalists to intensify calls for accountability within the military and security agencies, emphasizing the inclusion of accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s military framework.

He further highlighted the delayed impact of human rights panels set up in the country, including the army-led Special Board of Inquiry and the Presidential Investigative Panel. The reports of these panels are yet to be made public despite Nigeria’s commitment to do so. Rafsanjani called on the media to follow up on ensuring that the panel reports are published, and their recommendations implemented. Only Lagos State has made its report public out of 29 states and the FCT.

Also, Rafsanjani unveiled Amnesty International’s “Human Rights Agenda 2023,” which analyzes the existing human rights framework in Nigeria and identifies gaps. He urged the media to provide the necessary coverage to ensure that these gaps are addressed by the National Assembly, further promoting human rights in the country.

The event marked a significant step towards strengthening collaboration between Amnesty International Nigeria and the media, with the ultimate goal of advancing human rights and justice in Nigeria.

In his remarks, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN; lamented that Nigeria has very good human right laws but fails to implement them when the need arises.

Also speaking, Mr. Alabi Williams, who described the media as a channels of storing and distributing content for purposes of public information and education, hence the mediums of broadcasting, print media, digital media, advertising, cinema and photography. Human rights are natural liberties that are inherent to all human beings, irrespective of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, status or religion.

The United Nations lists rights to include: Rights to life, human dignity, fair hearing, freedom of thought, conscience and religion and right to associate and movement.

According to him, the key elements that strengthen media responsibility with regards to protection of rights pluralism in content, giving equal opportunities, diversity in ownership. The freedom of expression is the “freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers – Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

On his part, Richard Akinnola at the parley stressed that one of the most potent forces in International politics today is the issue of Human Rights. He however emphasized that pioneering work of Peter Benenson, in founding the Amnesty International in 1961 was the catalyst which propelled four of them – Olisa Agbakoba, Clement Nwankwo. Abdul Oroh and himself, to establish the first human Rights body in Nigeria -Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) on October 15, 1987. He added that at its inception, the CLO had a synergy with the media, a working relationship that helped in our advocacy on human rights.

“There is no doubt that the struggle for human rights and egalitarian society requires a synergy between the media and human Rights community.

I’m not oblivious of the challenges the human rights community are currently facing in terms of credibility due to the abuse the community has been subjected to by political actors who set up some nondescript, amorphous groups masquerading as NGOs.

“However, for every fake product, there must be an original. Amnesty international is the progenitor of various human rights groups in the country, including Nigeria. For over six decades, it has established a reputation as the foremost human rights body in the world.

“So, you can therefore imagine my embarrassment some few years ago, when some political actors in the Buhari government, hired some miscreants, masquerading as civil society organizations, to picket the Abuja office of Amnesty international for days, just because the government became uncomfortable with the unassailable reports of the Amnesty regarding the impunity of the Nigerian army in its war on Boko Haram” Akinnola noted.

Photography Credit: Michael Christian/Amnesty International

The Ilupeju community in Lagos is in mourning following the untimely death of Corporal Olawale Julius Adio Akinlotan, a beloved police officer who tragically collapsed while on active duty. The 27-year-old officer, hailing from Ogun State, reportedly succumbed to a sudden cardiac arrest.

The heart-wrenching incident unfolded on Monday, November 6, 2023, while CPL Olawale Akinlotan was diligently performing his duties.

Known for his responsiveness, warmth, and cheerful disposition, Akinlotan was a well-loved figure both within the Ilupeju community and the Lagos Police Command. This has prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes from residents of the Ilupeju area who seek to honor the memory of the young officer whose promising career was abruptly cut short.

Late Olawale’s service to the nation began in 2018 when he joined the Nigerian Police Force as a Constable. He initially served at the Isheri Division before working closely with AIG Hakeem Odumosu (Retired) as Lagos State Commissioner of Police, while attached to the Police PRO office in the role of a camera/media man.

He continued to distinguish himself as a diligent and agile officer when he was assigned to the Ilupeju Division. There, he rose through the ranks to become a Corporal and was appointed as the orderly to the DPO, Superintendent Matilda Ngbaronye.

Corporal Olawale Akinlotan, a graduate of Mass Communication, was known for his vibrancy, intelligence, and tech-savvy skills, which made him an asset to the Nigerian Police Force. He was not only a dedicated officer but also a prominent ambassador of the Lagos State Police Command.

The officers and staff of Ilupeju Division, alongside the entire Ilupeju community, are deeply affected by the sudden loss of this young and promising officer. In honor of his memory, a night of songs will be hosted at the Ilupeju Division on Monday, November 13, 2023.

CPL Olawale Akinlotan leaves behind his grieving father, mother, siblings, and other relatives, who now join the community in mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant.

Approximately 100 families and individuals affected by leprosy received vital support through a free medical outreach organized by God’s Love Ministries in collaboration with The Fount of Love Foundation at the Alabarago Lepers’ Community in Ojo, Lagos over the weekend.

This significant intervention marked the first of its kind for the community, which is home to marginalized citizens grappling with illnesses and malnourishment. Despite its close proximity to Alaba International Market, Africa’s largest electronics market, the lepers’ community has struggled with poverty and inadequate access to healthcare.

A dedicated team of doctors led by Pastor Maria Olatunji, the Coordinator of God’s Care Ministries, provided medical care, essential drugs, food items, and personal protective equipment to the residents.

During an interview with journalists at the outreach, Pastor Maria Olatunji emphasized that the initiative aimed to demonstrate compassion and address the urgent healthcare needs of a vulnerable population.

“We wanted to help people who have nothing to give in return. When I heard about this lepers’ community, I was deeply concerned, even though I was not in the country at the time. I made it my mission to visit this community at the next opportunity I had in Nigeria.”

Olatunji further called on the business community, local government, and nearby residents to support the lepers and attend to their needs. She expressed disappointment that these marginalized citizens lived amidst the thriving Alaba market without adequate care or attention.

“Alaba International Market is a billion-dollar market, and it is disheartening that a neighboring lepers’ community is neglected. The business moguls in Alaba could contribute to improving the welfare of these residents with their wealth,” she urged.

In addition, Olatunji highlighted the potential health and environmental threats that the lepers’ community posed to the Alaba market and surrounding areas, emphasizing the importance of addressing their basic needs and living conditions.

Mrs. Shola Onyekweli, the Founder of The Fount of Love Foundation, revealed her organization’s decade-long commitment to assisting the lepers’ community. She explained that they had constructed a borehole and provided generators to address water supply challenges in the community.

Onyekweli, emphasizing the need for broader support, expressed the aim of empowering the community through various initiatives. These included offering grinding machines, perfumes, and other items to enable residents to earn income, fostering a culture of value addition and entrepreneurship.

The Head of the Medical Team, Dr. Gift Osakue, shared observations from the medical checks conducted during the outreach. He noted that many residents had multiple infections and ailments. In addition to leprosy, the community’s unsanitary living conditions contributed to residents’ health issues, including malnourishment and skin infections, particularly among children.

Dr. Osakue emphasized the need for government intervention to provide proper medication for lepers and improve healthcare access for the residents.

This compassionate initiative demonstrates the commitment of organizations and individuals to address the immediate healthcare and humanitarian needs of marginalized communities in Nigeria.