Why Uduaghan Doesn’t Sign Death Warrant’ BY MICHAEL IKEOGWU-WARRI Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has said that sanctity of life is the reason why he has not appended his signature on the death warrant of condemned criminals in the state. Governor Uduaghan spoke through his Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Missan Ukubeyinje, at the reception in Warri in honour of Civil Rights Campaigner, Dr. Jeo Okei-Odumakin at an inaugural lecture of LITE-Africa Leadership Institute, held in Warri. The Governor, while extolling the sterling qualities of Okei-Odumakin, said without the agitations of people like her who stood against military dictatorship and other civil rights abuses, the present democracy which made it possible for him to become Governor would not have been possible. He said that his administration has impacted positively on the people of the state through his three point agenda of peace and security, human capital development and infrastructural development. Welcoming guests to the auspicious event, the Executive Director, LITE Africa, Joel Bisina, said the event marks a milestone in the anal of the organisation, pledging to sustain the annual lecture. Bisina said his organisation places high values on leaderships and persons who have served selflessly in meeting the needs of the society even at risk to their lives. He paid glowing tribute to Okei-Odumakin, saying that ‘’society cannot be what it should be if the youth are not encouraged to promote social change’’, adding, ‘’We are honoured to have her in LITE Africa Board. Her life is what LITE Africa stands for. So this event is our token, our own little way to appreciate somebody who has struggled for the betterment of the society’’. Bisina, however, decried the wrong perception outsiders have about Warri, as a volatile area, explaining that the oil rich city was conducive for living and business ventures. Chairman of the occasion, Femi Aborisade, a lawyer and human rights activist, in a thought provoking speech, described the initiative as a welcome development and lauded the organisation for celebrating Okei-Odumakin as according to him, not because of wealth but for demonstrating rear courage in the emancipation of the downtrodden. Aborisade took the political class to the cleaners, accusing politicians of ‘’monopolising the wealth of the country’’ to the detriment of the majority who are wallowing in bone crushing poverty and called for a kind of constitutional amendment that would strengthen the fundamental rights of the people as the nation’s wealth must be used to satisfy the people. In a lecture titled, Track VI Diplomacy: “Human Rights Activism as a Strategic Leadership’’, Professor Albert Oluwole of the University of Ibadan, analysed leadership and the qualities a leader must possess and praised the likes of Okei-Odumakin for standing up against oppression and bad governance. In his response, Okei-Odumakin, thanked the organisation for the honour done her and pledged that she would not waiver in her fight against injustice, saying ‘’I always have message that I want to pass on. I have warriors and soldiers for the struggle’’.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 13:32:50 +0000
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