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Edo Speaker, JDPC, others advocate concerted efforts to promote human rights

The Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Barr. Mrs Maria Edeko, Mrs Grace Osakue, Co-founder, Girls’ Power Initiative and Reverend Father Benedict Onwugbenu, Director, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JPDC), have urged stakeholders across the globe, to work assiduously to promote human rights, freedom, equality and justice to achieve the desired results.

They stated this during this year’s 2023 International Human Rights Day Celebration, with the theme: ”pioneering a new generation for peace, justice, freedom and equality” organised by JPDC in Benin City.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the director of JPDC, Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, Rev. Fr. Benedict Onwugbenu, said that the celebration underscores the collective aspiration to create a society where every individual enjoys the fundamental freedom as enshrined in the international human rights instruments of 1948, where equality is upheld and justice accessible to all without discrimination

He recalled various challenges which threaten the realisation of these ideals including discrimination, social inequalities, systemic injustices and human rights abuses which exist in different forms and have negative effects on individuals and communities across the globe

The religious leader maintained that his JPDC through its unwavering commitment to human rights, had become more critical, especially being at the forefront of promoting freedom and justice through advocacy, legal aid services and community empowerment in the region.

This according to him, has made significant impacts on the lives of the people, saying the celebration reflects the commitment to upholding the values of justice and peace.

In the same vein the deputy speaker, Edo State House Assembly, Barr Edeko and Mrs Grace Osakue, Co-founder, Girls Power Initiative, in their guest lectures admonished parents to train their children/wards to reflect moral values and not to be addicted to drugs and other dangerous substances which are dangerous to human lives.

They said that societies with a high level of vulnerability are bound to experience one form of human rights abuse and the other while calling on parents, government at all levels, civil society organisations and individuals to partner to address human rights abuse and injustices.

A high point of the celebration was the induction of patrons and matrons for JPDC and the giving of awards.

Those present include the former head of service and chairman, Civil Service Commission, Edo State, Princess Mrs Ekiuwa Inneh, Dr. Tony Uwagie-Ero, Prof. N. P Okolie, Engr. Stephen Ossai, Mrs Egware Tessy, Sir Engr. Luke Osas Oronsaye and Olumide Dosumu, National Human Rights Commission Coordinator, Edo State, respectively.

Others are the Chairman, Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Edo State, Barr. Violet Olumense, Rev. Fr. Mike Oyanoafoh, Chancellor, Catholic Archbishop of Benin, school children, representatives of National Orientation Agency, Edo State, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Edo State and National Human Rights Commission among others.

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