By Uzo Ugwunze
Team Make Ogbunike Great (TMOG) has pledged its readiness to partner with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Anambra state in awareness campaign of human rights and rule of law.
The Convener, TMOG and Grand Patron of Otu Ndi Akajiofor na Ogbunike Dr. Chuma-Odili Harris Udokamma a.k.a Ogene Ogbunike stated this while hosting officers of the Commission in at his Ogbunike country home.
He said the NHRC officers were in the area to train indigenes to deepen their human rights culture in the community.
According to him, the decision to train indigenes of the community was to ensure they knew their rights to enable them assist others whose rights were violated.
He urged those in position of authority in the town to use their good offices to support the people rather than oppressing them.
He said, “The epoch making event is designed to create awareness amongst the citizens of Ogbunike on human rights and rule of law.
“The Team Make Ogbunike Great, TMOG decided to train people so they know their rights to be in position to help others whose rights were violated and trampled upon.
“This is why TMOG organised this training workshop and invited officers of the National Human Rights Commission for lectures and training to deepen human rights culture in the community.
“I urge all those in position of authority in Ogbunike be it age grades, Umunna, Village Union, town Union governments, and traditional institutions to use their office to support the people and to avoid oppressing the people.
“I also urge you to join hands with Team Make Ogbunike Great TMOG to make Ogbunike a better place for all.”
Ogene lamented that enforcing rights and knowledge of rights of the people had been a problem in the society.
“Most times when police arrest someone, he/she usually doesn’t know what to do next because they lack knowledge of their rights and the implications,” he regretted.
Also speaking, National Leader of Ogene Ogbunike Movement, Elder Dr. Obi Anyanyo acknowledged the link between human rights and traditional institutions, stressing the place of culture on rights issues.
“There is a link between human right and traditional institutions. They are involved in justice, arbitration, settlement of disputes in many ways,” he said.
While urging members of the group to always consider culture in all they do, Anyanyo advised, “if you want to settle dispute, you must also consider the culture of the people”
He reassured the preparedness of the traditional institutions in the area to work with the Commission and ensure they succeeded when Ogene became Igwe Ogbunike.
“Ogene Ogbunike will partner with the Commission to protect the right of the people. He will not take the rights of the people for granted.
“Ogene Ogbunike Movement will collaborate with the Commission to achieve their goals,” he reassured.
NHRC State Coordinator, Barr Obinna Maduforo who led the officers urged the people of Ogbunike to report any acts of domestic violence, sexual abuse and suspected cases of human rights violation to the Commission.
He assured that his office would not demand for payments on any case reported to Commission.