Traders get human rights training

[Punch]

About 38 traders have ended a three-month training programme on human rights, organised by the Crime Victims Foundation, in Lagos state.

The ceremony, which took place on Saturday, was held at the Inspectors Mess, Obalande Police Barracks.

The traders, said to be electrical appliance dealers, were presented with member certificates in human rights at the ceremony.

 Executive Director of CRIVIFON, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji, said the training was deemed necessary as a way of promoting participation in the democratic process.

She said, "Over 12,000 policemen and officers in Lagos State have been trained on human rights under the auspices of CRIVIFON.  The police insisted that having educated them, it was also important that the public got the same information.

"These are the people usually harassed unjustly by the police and because they have money, they just give to avoid arrest.  If they are educated on human rights, then they will not waste money or be cheated. This is good for the democratic process, where the people know their rights and ensure that those rights are not infringed upon."

Egbuji told The PUNCH that traders had received training on the Human Rights Provisions in chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution as well as the International Human Rights standards,  the new laws of Lagos State such as the Domestic Violence Law, Child Rights Law and Adoption Law, among others.

The Divisional Police Officer, Adeniji Adele Police Station, CSP Monday Agbonika, commended CRIVIFON for the initiative.

He said, "The training is in line with national and international charters on human rights.  "It will help position Nigeria as a global player in promoting human rights.  People need to know their rights and demand them.  A well informed person will be law abiding and all the rancor in society will be at a minimum."

President of the Lagos Island Electricity Dealers Association, Mr. James Anuma, urged other traders to acquire training in human rights.

Anuma said, "Prior to the training, I did not know that human rights are rights we are born with. I thought it was something you had to labour for. But through this programme, I learnt that you have freedom of speech and expression and nobody can deny you that. I urge other traders to be educated on their rights as they stand to gain a lot."

The Punch