NGO rallies students on justice, feeds 1,869 at UniAbuja

The founder of a non-profit organisation, Nation of Justice (NOJ), Mr Jyde Adelakun, has tasked Nigerian students on the need to uphold social justice while performing their civic duties, saying it is an essential tool for building a society where equality and justice prevail for everyone.

Adelakun made the observation on Wednesday at the grand finale of a two-day sensitisation programme organised for students of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA).

According to him, justice is the condition of freedom under the rule of law, where rights are protected, duties are enforced, and power is held accountable. He urged the students not to feel too young to contribute to national development.

While he maintained that ‘justice’ is not a slogan, he challenged the students to reflect deeply on its meaning.

“True freedom does not mean the absence of responsibility; it is the courage to act rightly, the discipline to obey the law, and the sacrifice to serve the common good,” he said.

He enjoined the students to rely on Nigerian constitutional provisions, explaining that every Nigerian has a duty to abide by the laws of the land, promote national interest, and support recognised law enforcement agencies in upholding the rule of law across the country.

“Under Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution, every Nigerian is obligated to abide by the Constitution, respect its ideals, promote the national interest, render assistance to lawful authorities in the maintenance of law and order, and contribute positively to the well-being of the nation.

“Similarly, Section 23 of the Constitution sets out the national ethics that must not remain mere words on paper but must live in our hearts. These are not ceremonial ideals,” he said.

Quoting a former President of the United States of America, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Adelakun charged the youths to begin to think about what they could do for their country rather than what the nation could do for them.

The donor, who is also the Executive Director of TOF Energy Company Limited, affirmed to the students that the fundamental principles of discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice and patriotism are binding moral and civic responsibilities they must possess as youths.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the Federal Government in its efforts to transform the country, stressing that this call is not optional; it is a constitutional duty for all.

At the event, about 1,869 students, who are currently writing their examinations, were given different varieties of food items to support their welfare.

Each beneficiary received food items such as garri, beans or rice, as well as sachets of cornflakes, milk, vegetable oil, and instant noodles, including notebooks and pens.

Reacting, the beneficiaries described the gesture as timely and a ray of hope at a time of need.

According to Confidence Elijah, a 100-level student of the Finance Department, “The support will ease the pressure of feeding during the examination period. This package will help me divert the money meant for feeding this week to other important needs. I thank the organisers, and this is something I hope to do when I grow up,” she added.

Another student, Husaybah Gabadin, a Law undergraduate, who noted that many students in the school’s hostels had already exhausted their food supplies, said that beyond the support, the words of the donor resonated deeply with her.

“As someone who hopes to become a philanthropist, the words of the benefactor stirred something in me. As an aspiring lawyer, his words have changed my perspective about our society and the rule of law,” she added.