CIVIL SOCIETY UPDATE

DELTA STATE COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE CALLS ON THE CIVIL SOCIETY COMMUNITY TO JOIN HIS MINISTRY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST KIDNAPPING, CYBER CRIMES, SEXUAL OFFENCES, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND VALUE DECADENCE AMONGST OTHERS

AS ACTIVIST REX ANIGHORO SOLICITED THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER IN THE ADVOCACY AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY, HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, AND FOR INCLUSION OF CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVE IN RELEVANT BILLS AND COMMITTEES CURRENTLY BEFORE THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, AS WELL AS THE CREATION OF A BUDGET LINE FOR CIVIC AND CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT


By Ochuko Jude O’Ruemu

ASABA - The Delta State Attorney -General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor Esq, has commended the efforts of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Civic Engagement and Civil Society, Activist Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro, for his efforts towards ensuring a more organized Civil Society Community in Delta State, stating that this will earn Civil Society, greater credibility and respect from Government and other Stakeholders.

The Commissioner for Justice made these remarks at a recent Advocacy and Consultative visit paid on him by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Civic Engagement and Civil Society along with a delegation of the Delta State Civil Society Community in his Office at Asaba.

Speaking at the visit, the Coordinator of the Delta State Civil Society Community, Deacon Okezi Odugala, expressed the appreciation of the CSO community for the kind audience granted them by the Commissioner despite challenges posed by COVID-19 and hectic schedules.

Deacon Odugala informed the Honourable Commissioner that the Delta State Civil Society Community, an over 300 member - strong body which includes individual volunteers across the State, is determined to enact a vibrant partnership with the State government to help combat forcefully, the menace of drug abuse and alcholism, communal conflicts, gang crimes and killings often referred to as cultism, and other social vices gaining notoriety.

He made it known that the Civil Society Community as the conscience of citizens and watchdog of society must be at the front-lines and not on the side lines in the fight against social vices that are bedevilling some young people in the State.

Addressing Barr. Peter Mrakpor at this visit, Activist Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro, expressed the fact that the Civil Society Community rejoiced upon his re -appointment as Commissioner for Justice, this was due to the giant strides recorded in his first tenure in strengthening inter alia, the values of partnership for development, separation of powers, smooth inter-governmental relations, supremacy of the rule of law and restoration of the pride of place of Civil Society to ensure transparency and open government, which is in tandem with global best practices and Goal 16 and 17 of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development goals (SDGs).

Activist Anighoro, further thanked the Commissioner for Justice for seeing to it that the Courts in Delta State are receiving the needed face - lift and for advancing the place of the multi - door court house, therefore energizing Alternative Dispute Resolution avenues which promote reconciliation and a win - win situation which fosters quality human relations, harmonious and peaceful coexistence, as above the pursuit of litigation which promotes winner-takes-all, internal injury of the spirit, promoting strife and unending enmity which increases societal conflict.

Activist Rex Anighoro stated that as a Senior Aide on Civic Engagement and Civil Society to the Governor of Delta State, he was more or less like a deputy to the Commissioner for Justice because, Civil Society functions are similar to the functions of the Ministry of Justice and as such, there ought to be greater and robust synergy between his office and the Ministry, noting that he would be more visible and engaging with the Commissioner and the Ministry going forward. Activist Anighoro further implored the Commissioner to accord him the much needed support and attention to excel in this mandate.

Activist Anighoro also asserted that his office is daily innuduated with citizens' complaints and reports about Police brutality, extortions, frame-ups, total disregard for laws they ought to enforce, numerous violation of citizen's rights, engaging in merchantile policing amongst others.

He passionately requested the support of the Commissioner in seeing that his Office gets the needed backing in the fight against human rights abuses, and many of the ills already stated as he was poised to embark on establishing various Civil Society 'Action' Task Force to aide Government in combating these menaces.

Activist Rex further sought the goodwill of the Commissioner in seeing to the inclusion of a Civil Society Representative in the operation hawk outfit to help deter Human Rights violations through monitoring, evaluation and training as well as in creating awareness and confidence-building amongst citizens.


In line with global best practices which His Excellency, the Governor is a renowned champion, Activist Rex Anighoro also passionately requested, for the inclusion of Civil Society’s active representation in corporate social responsibility, urban and regional planning boards, the said bills amongst others are currently before the State House of Assembly for consideration.

The Senior Aide to the Governor, in conclusion, canvassed for the creation of a budget line for Civic and Civil Society Engagements, stating that when this is done, it will be an uncommon feat which will increase the confidence of international institutions and agencies in Government. He noted that Capacity-building for Civil Society Leaders, monthly subvention, grants to assist their operations, vehicles support to attend conferences, affording quality venues for engagements, organizing developmental trainings, annual CSO Hall of fame and establishing a CSO library as well as embarking on Independent Awareness Campaigns, Project and programmes Monitoring and Evaluation Exercises, funding for Civil Society Day are some of the key issues that a budget line through his office can help resolve.

The Attorney - General and Commissioner for Justice in Delta State, Barr. Peter Mrakpor, in addressing the delegation, expressed admiration and commended the will and unity of purpose displayed by the Delta State Civil Socety Community’s coming together around a common cause-Social Justice.

Barr. Mrakpor also extended a hand of fellowship to the Delta State Civil Society Community, and appealed for their deeper involvement in the scheme of things by helping to drive the programmes and other activities of the Delta State Ministry of Justice to the grassroots, as government is in need of such symbiotic partnerships - a prerequisite for sustainable development to birth a truly Stronger Delta.

The Honourable Commissioner also called on the Civil Society Community to join his Ministry in the fight against kidnapping, cyber crimes often referred to as 'yahoo', rape and other sexual offences, and human trafficking amongst others. He further charged the Civil Society Community to embark on massive orientation and value rebirth campaigns as many persons in the State have imbibed the entitlement mentality, noting that individual efficiency was near Zero.

Barr. Mrakpor also made it known that financial demands on public office holders remains an issue of concern as the pressure on them could lead to corruption. 'The Civil Society should help our people understand that developing a skill to survive is more honourable than depending on Government appointments which have expiry dates and are not sustainable.' Talent and skills development which guarantees sustainability even in old age' is therefore a better way', he stated.

The Delta State Attorney - General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor Esq, concluded with a promise to support the work of the Civil Society Community and be part of this year's Civil Society Day holding every 14th of December, God willing.