The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday launched its first-ever 16-day campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), marking a significant step in the association’s commitment to human rights and social justice. The campaign, spearheaded by the Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, led administration will include visits to prisons and detention facilities nationwide to facilitate the release of selected inmates and detainees, particularly those affected by systemic injustice.
Speaking at the flag-off event at the NBA House in Abuja, the Chairman of the NBA Human Rights Institute and First Vice President of the NBA, Sebastian Anyia, expressed excitement about this unprecedented initiative. He emphasized the commitment of all NBA branches across the country to the campaign, stating:
“This is the first time in the history of our noble association that this landmark event is being witnessed. We thank our proactive leader, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, for this innovation that has brought joy to Nigerian citizens in general and the profession in particular.”
The event saw enthusiastic participation from NBA members nationwide, with branches simultaneously hosting similar programs in their respective states.
Anyia acknowledged the challenges facing the legal profession, particularly public perceptions about its role in human rights protection. He described the 16-day campaign as a “legal surgery” to change negative perceptions, bridge gender gaps, and empower marginalized groups:
“These 16 days of activism is one of those surgeries we have embarked upon to change the perception of Nigerians in our favor. We would be advancing women’s rights, bridging gender gaps, and empowering minority groups to create an equitable and just society.”
The campaign’s focus goes beyond advocacy, extending to tangible actions such as providing legal support for detainees and inmates, offering hope to the underserved, and fostering a sense of justice and dignity within society.
To encourage active participation, the NBA announced awards for branches that achieve the most significant impact during the campaign. The criteria for these awards include the number of suspects released from police stations and inmates freed from correctional facilities. Anyia explained:
“The winner of this award shall be the branch with the highest number of released suspects from the Police Stations and inmates from Correctional Centers… The award is slated for the 10th day of December 2024, being the day globally set aside for the commemoration of human rights.”
Branches were urged to collaborate with their state Chief Judges to facilitate visits to correctional facilities and secure the release of deserving inmates within the campaign period.
To ensure the campaign’s success, the NBA has established a five-member monitoring committee tasked with overseeing activities and reporting outcomes. The committee, chaired by Christopher Gabriel Adikwu with Charles Afolabi as secretary, includes other members such as Adam Tanko Jibril, Ojile Abah Nathaniel, and Promise N. Amadi.
The 16-day campaign will culminate in a grand event on December 10, 2024, the globally recognized Human Rights Day. Themed “All Human Beings Are Born Free and Equal in Dignity and Rights,” the event will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions. Human rights activist and media personality Ayo Obe, fondly referred to as the “female version of Femi Falana SAN,” among many others.
