By Nnadozie Odom
ENUGU/Nigeria: A Human rights protection group, Advocacy for People’s Rights (APR), has honoured Comrade Augustine Jideofor Areh with a prestigious award, “Human Rights Defender of the year 2023,” in recognition of his unwavering commitment to the defence of human rights and rule of law in Nigeria, including the rights of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
While presenting the award to Areh through his representative, Mr. Demian Ugbumba, during the 15th year anniversary of APR on 15 May, 2024, at Mandela Freedom House, Enugu, the president of the group, Mazi Uchenna Maduka, said, “Advocacy for People’s Rights (APR), is pleased to present this award to Comrade Augustine Jideofor Areh in recognition of his unwavering and daring commitment to the defence of human rights and rule of law in Nigeria.
He added, “This event is a remarkable moment for the human rights community in Nigeria and across the world, most importantly the indigenous people of Biafra and the community of vulnerable Nigerians whose rights are constantly being abused by agents of government.
He noted, “With this award, the 15th anniversary of Advocacy for People’s Rights (APR), can be said to have met its relevance in the pursuit of an egalitarian society that priorizes rule of law as the fundamental of democracy.”
He continued, to other dignified recipients of our awards in different capacities, including organisations that promote human rights in Nigeria, we urge you to be steadfast in the sacrifice you are making to ensure a better society for us all.”
Maduka further stated, “With this token of awards presented to deserving rights activists and organisations, Advocacy for People’s Rights (APR) is unequivocally making a firm statement to the world that an iota of motivation and encouragement would inspire a more vibrant activism to speak up against obnoxious policies and high-handedness around the circle of government that tend to pose a threat to the sacrosanctity of rule of law and the fundamental rights of the citizens.
Responding, Mr. Demian Ugbumba, the representative of Comrade Augustine Jideofor Areh, thanked the members of Advocacy for People’s Rights (APR), for finding Areh worthy of the award, saying, “The recipient, Comrade Augustine Jideofor Areh, expresses his gratitude to APR for this honour bestowed on him, adding that it would spur him to advance his advocacy and activities to ensure the rights of the indigenous people of Biafra and the vulnerable and voiceless Nigerians are protected for the betterment of the society.”
Other recipients of awards included: Activist Emeka Njoku; Barr. Joy Oluwa; Comrade Ijeoma Nwokodi; Mr. Ignatius Basil; Dr. Cajetan Uzoma; and Mrs. Beatrice Besong.
The event attracted frontline human rights activists, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other non state actors dictating the pace in civil rights activism in Nigeria.
