…Imo First Lady, NHRC Boss, NBA, FIDA, Prof. Obiaraeri, Dr. Ohanele, Fr. Nzereogu Advocate Aggressive Sensitization on Human Rights
By Stanley Okehie
Imo State on December 10, 2025, joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 International Human Rights Day.
The event, which recorded a large turnout, commenced with a sensitization march from the Bar Centre, State High Court, Owerri, through Ama JK to Douglas Road and back to the Bar Centre. Participants carried placards and flyers, engaging the public on the need to end human rights violations.
The Imo State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Valentine Madubuko, who read the address of the Executive Secretary, Chief (Dr.) Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, applauded Nigerians for their resilience despite the nation’s insecurity as well as its social, economic and political challenges.
He noted that human rights thrive in communities where harmony, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are upheld.
Madubuko reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting, promoting and enforcing the rights of all Nigerians.
“As we celebrate 30 years of the National Human Rights Commission, we do so with gratitude for the past, responsibility for the present, and hope for a future where Freedom, Equality and Justice are the heritage of everyone in Nigeria,” he stated.
The wife of the Imo State Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, represented by the wife of the former Speaker of the State Assembly, Mrs. Ijeoma Nduka, commended the Commission for safeguarding the rights and dignity of Nigerians.
She stressed that Human Rights Day serves as a reminder that every individual, regardless of status, gender, age or background, is entitled to dignity, respect and the full enjoyment of fundamental rights.
Advocating sustained sensitization on human rights, the First Lady reiterated the state government’s commitment to challenging harmful practices, supporting survivors and building a society free from fear, abuse and discrimination.
She highlighted Imo State’s progress in addressing gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices, referencing a recent reflective dialogue on the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), where participants unanimously declared that FGM is not culture or tradition but a violation of the rights, health and dignity of the girl child.
The Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Imo State branch, Barr. Phil Amaefule, emphasized that breaches of fundamental rights carry consequences. She encouraged participants to seek redress in court whenever their rights are violated.
In his keynote presentation, Dr. Jude Ohanele decried the alarming rise in human rights violations across the world.
He described the theme, “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials,” as instructive, emphasizing that the right to life is fundamental because no human being has the authority to give or take life.
He listed other essential rights including freedom of expression, movement, assembly, education, employment, health and food; and stressed that violations of any of these diminish the very essence of human existence.
Speaking on the topic, “Emerging Issues such as Stalking, Doxing, Image-Based Sexual Abuse and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence,” Rev. Fr. Ray Nzereogu noted that digital tools such as social media and GPS tracking, though useful, are increasingly being weaponized against women, girls and vulnerable persons in unprecedented ways.
He called for accountability from technology companies and advocated specific strategies to ensure safety and protection for women in public life, including human rights defenders and activists.
Also delivering a lecture, Prof Nnamdi Obiaraeri explained that Nigeria’s Constitution creates a harmful division by making civil and political rights justiciable under Chapter IV, while placing economic, social and cultural rights under Chapter II as “Directive Principles” that courts cannot enforce.
This, according to Prof Obiaraeri, reduces the rights to empty promises and allows government failure in welfare, education, healthcare, infrastructure and social security without legal consequences.
“This constitutional arrangement weakens democracy, fuels poverty, insecurity, corruption, brain drain (“japa syndrome”) and electoral manipulation, and renders even civil and political rights largely meaningless in practice”, he added.
Prof Obiaraeri maintained that guaranteeing the right to life without healthcare, or freedom of expression without education, is hollow.
“Nigeria must reform its legal framework to make economic, social and cultural rights justiciable, as seen in countries like South Africa and Kenya. Only then can human rights truly function as our everyday essentials and support dignity, justice and national development”, he concluded.
The event also featured drama presentations and other side attractions.
Among those present were the FRSC, NSCDC, NAPTIP, Child Protection Network, Imo State Chairperson of Women with Disability, Blessing Okorie; Executive Director, Honourbith Foundation, Mrs. Elizabeth Onyemaechi; Founder of Uju Charity and Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Chika Uju; Executive Director Communal Care Centre, Mrs. Collette Bennet, Niger Care Foundation, Compassion for Women and Youth Initiative, Alliances for Africa, NBA Mbano/Etiti, Actual Voice Initiative, Impact Hub for Wellness and Rights Initiative, State Coordinator – National Key Population Health and Rights, Imo state chapter and many others.