The National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE that was at the 33rd Annual General Conference of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, presents some of the far-reaching decisions adopted at the conference for a better and secured Nigeria
The pre-event notices across media channels were the first signals that the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, a leading civil society, would address topical national issues at its 33rd Annual General Conference, AGC.
The conference, themed “A Call to Service in a Troubled Nigeria,” which drew participants from the 36 States of Nigeria and beyond, held on Saturday, October 23, 2023 at the Rights House, Adeniji Jones, Ikeja, Lagos.
Expectedly, the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee and distinguished Delegates from the State branches observed, among other things, that the rights of Nigerians across the country, including the right to life, have become most threatened and abused, with the rising incidences of insurgency, banditry, militancy, extortion, abductions, kidnappings, extrajudicial murders and double standards by state actors.
The civil society frowned at the constraints encountered by Nigerians who have been denied of their rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, due to anti-people capitalist policies of privatization of public enterprises, commercialization of public roads through the reintroduction of the toll system, commercialization of public health and COVID-19 testing and vaccination, commercialization of public health insurance, commercialisation of education, the challenge of unemployment, rising level of hardship, dwindling economy and falling value of the naira.
The Guest Speaker, Professor Tunde Babawale and other eminent resource persons also harped on the worsened insecurity in the country and called for immediate actions to avoid total collapse of the entire system.
As a remedy, the organization vowed to continue the struggle for the defence of the rights and fundamental freedoms of Nigerians as well as advance the consolidation of democracy.
They also vehemently rejected the oppressive tendencies by Lagos and other governments in commercializing public health services, education and housing, payment for COVID-19 testing and over-taxing of citizens.
To strengthen its operational fabrics, the organization recognized that it was imperative to expand branches and units and uphold its integrity by ensuring disciplinary measures against errant members.
To that effect, CDHR, at the AGC, ratified various disciplinary reports including decision of the National Council and accordingly adopted the expulsion of Kehinde Taiga, James Chubuzor, Gerald Katchy and Jonathan Giama as well as suspension of Ekwumankama Violet and Ayuba Musa for their roles in precipitating crises that had done incalculable damage to the prestige of the CDHR.
It also directed the National Executive Committee to petition those impersonating CDHR to security agencies for proper arrest, investigation and prosecution.
The Resolution of the National Council, NC, meeting held on Friday October 22, 2021 on renewal of the tenure of Femi Falana, SAN, Professor Lucky Akaruese, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Gbenga Awosede, and Debo Adeniran and Malachy Ugwummadu, was adopted.
The inauguration of Nasarawa, Katsina, Bauchi States branches was accepted in line with the recommendation of the National Council.
Comrade (Dr) OsagieObayuwana returned unopposed as the National President to lead CDHR for the next two years in the newly elected NEC.
Others who were elected to support Comrade Obayuwana in the running of the organization were Comrade Ade Ikuesan, Vice President; Comrade Yinka Folarin, General Secretary; Comrade Kabir Ibrahim, Assistant General Secretary; Comrade Sola Kolawole, Treasurer; Comrade (Barr) Henry Peter Ekine, Legal Adviser; Comrade Idris AfeesOlayinka, Publicity Secretary and Comrade Helen Akomolafe, Internal Auditor.
