By Stephen Adeleye.
The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kogi Command, Suleiman Mafara, has applauded His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello for establishing the Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC), to promote fundamental human rights in the state.
Mafara gave the commendation when the Director General of Kogi PDCRC, Abdullahi Zakari Esq, led a team of lawyers from the commission on an advocacy visit to his office in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The commandant commended the governor for his initiative in establishing such commission to improving the wellbeing of the citizens especially the less privilege and vulnerable in the society.
He assured the commission of effective collaboration for the promotion, protection and enforcement of fundamental human rights of the residents of the state.
Mafara said that human rights commission remained one of the Corps’ partners in progress and critical stakeholder in protecting human rights, lives and property of the citizenry.
”I never knew that your commission exist in the state until this time, and having heard your mandates and jurisdictions, I am very happy that such commission exist in Kogi.
”We are all serving humanity and one of our core values is serving with integrity and respect for human dignity; we will work together for the benefits of humanity.
”I promise and affirm my commitment to go to any length to work with you for the benefits of the people of Kogi State.
”I assure you of our total support for the advancement of humanity”, Mafara said.
Earlier, the Director General of Kogi PDCRC, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, said the visit was to introduce the commission to the commandant and seek synergy in protecting and enforcing fundamental human rights of the citizenry.
Zakari noted that the Governor, signed into law, the bill establishing Kogi PDCRC Law, 2018, on June 3, 2019, giving meaning to access to justice as a key instrument in the enforcement of human rights in the state.
According to Zakari, the PDCRC provides free legal aid and representations in civil and criminal matters in all Courts, and other related services to indigent and vulnerable residents of Kogi, who could not afford the service of legal practitioners.
He added that the commission also promote, protect and ensuring enforcement of human rights for Kogi residents guaranteed under Chapter Four (4) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
Zakari stressed that the commission would not be able to effectively perform all its mandates and functions without the support of the law enforcement agencies.
”So, we are here to solicit for your support and partnership”, he said
He noted that the commission effectively commenced operations in October, 2019, and in spite the overwhelming challenges, had made modest achievements as far as fundamental human rights are concerned.
