A REPORT ON UTURU COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The outreach was held on the 27th of March 2015.

We arrived at Uturu at exactly 9:15am. On arrival at the venue, the village square was already arranged for the outreach by the youths who were  aware of our visit.

However, we were faced with the challenge of gathering the villagers to the square for the outreach which was later resolved. A great number

of them finally came out and the students quickly started with the items on the programme after the opening prayer. There was an educating drama

display by the law students which also served as a mode of sensitizing the villagers about the freedom of Information Act.
Also, a brief speech was made by the 1st speaker for the outreach group in the person of Eke Nneka Anaga, who enlightened the villagers on the objectives of the FOI Act. Another speech was made by the 2nd speaker

in the person of Igboanugwo Valentine who discussed the procedures for enforcement of the right guaranteed under the FOI Act and lastly the 3rd speakers

Erondu Olanma enlightened them on the role of the Abia State University Law Clinic.
Our own co-ordinator

Barr. Emeka Okoroafor threw more light on what the speakers had said and also entertained some questions

from the villagers.
Some of the villagers asked questions based on the issue of security. They wanted to know how secured they were from the police and other law enforcement agencies in asking various questions. Barr. Emeka ensured them of their safety in respect of their rights in asking for information.
In terms of our achievements we were able to educate a great number of people on the provisions of the FOI Act and its objectives, as well as the role of the ABSU law clinic in helping get access to justice.
The students also interviewed some members of the community and finally a closing prayer was said by Obike Chinyere Peace. 
The outreach to Uturu community was organized by the following clinicians of Abia State law faculty Igwe Sandra, Abia Humphrey, Enyeazu Victor, Odiba Chidiebere, Erugo Desiree and our very own coordinators Dr. Sam Erugo and Barr. Emeka Okoroafor.
   In Attendance were:
The 5th year clinicians
The 4th year clinicians
The Clinic Staff/Supervisor: Barr. Emeka Okoroafor.

 

A REPORT ON OVIM FOI COMMUNITY OUTREACH

On Tuesday, the 24th day of March, 2015, the Abia State University Law clinicians paid a visit to Ovim community in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Abia State

 in a bid to sensitize them on their Freedom of Information. (FOI).
Arrival to Ovim community was at about 8:30am; when we arrived, large members of the community were already gathered and seated

with their Eze and Chiefs who were also present to welcome us.

The Clinic Staff, Barr Emeka Okoroafor made our presence known to them by giving a brief introduction of who we were, where we came from, what we intended to do and achieve at the end of that day.
After that, the final year clinicians played out an Igbo drama

which was an eye opener for them on their right to request for information from the government and get adequate answers there from.
While the drama played out, the members of the community watched with keen interest, awe and approval; their excitement and applause was evident.
After the drama, an introductory speech was given by

Ezutah Lekwa Agbogho (1st speaker) who spoke in Igbo language on the meaning and use of the FOI Act; the 2nd speaker

Enyinnanya Nwagbai spoke on the procedures necessary in the use of the FOI Act; the 3rd speaker Nworie Genevieve concluded while the Clinic Staff, Barr. Emeka Okoroafor gave the summary speech and encouraged the community members not to hesitate to call us for help or visit our law clinic anytime they needed our help.
The community members were given the FOI Act and flyers which contained all they need to know about FOI.

The Eze and few members of the community thanked us for coming to enlighten them on their right and on the need of the use of the FOI Act.
On behalf of the ABSU Law Clinic the Clinic Staff,  Barr. Emeka Okoroafor thanked the members of the community for coming and giving us their time, he also thanked them for welcoming us. We left the community at about 11:00am.
In Attendance were:
The 5th year clinicians
The 4th year clinicians
The Clinic Staff/Supervisor:
Barr. Emeka Okoroafor.

A REPORT ON UTURU ADVOCACY VISIT

On the 14th day of march 2015, the staff clinician Barr Emeka Okoroafor alongside student clinicians embarked on an advocacy visit to Achara community in Uturu. We were received by Chief Simeon Akonu, the Chairman Council Chief of Nneji Autonomous community. Other dignitaries present;


 -High Chief Onwukwe Paschal Onyemachi  (Traditional Prime Minister of Late Ena 1 of Uturu)

 - Chief Lazarus Nwafor (Member, Nneji Autonomous Community)

 - Miss Ogazi Nkechinyere (Secretary, Dibunma Youth)

 - Chief Louis Chukwuemeka (Palace Secretary of Umuobi Ancient Kingdom)

 - Madam Maria Ogazi (Secretary, Amanyanwu Women Organization)

 - Mrs Roseline Odeme (President, Dibunma Group)

 - Mr. Emenike Chibusi Samuel (Youth President, Achara Autonomous Community)

 - Mr. Chika Onyirioha (President, Amanyanwu Youth)

After the breaking of kola and exchange of pleasantries, the Staff Clinician Barr. Emeka Okoroafor addressed the gathering on the purpose of our visit to the community. He explained to them what the law clinic is all about and how it is related to Freedom of Information. He further talked about the Freedom of information Act and its benefits to the community. He cited instances of irregularities in the community and how embracing the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 will aid in restoring things back to normality. The limited  human resources has made it impracticable for people in the rural areas to know about the existence of the FOIA and the Law Clinic is out to correct such abnormality. The Staff  Clinician stated that the essence of the advocacy visit was to reach an agreement as to a convenient date to organize a workshop for the community as a whole.

The student clinicians contributed by emphasizing the essence of the FOIA and the benefits appurtenant to it. These benefits include knowledge about the activities of the government, knowledge of how funds generated in the community are utilized, and provision of social amenities such as pipe borne water, maternity homes, electricity, etc.

The clinicians further stated that anyone at all is eligible to bring complaints on the breach of the provisions of the FOIA, and that the clinic would assist in all possible ways.

The Law Clinic team entertained questions from the dignitaries present. Madam Ogazi Nkechinyere recounted the dilemma of the community as regards non provision of the necessary amenities needed for the peaceful co-existence of the villagers. She stated that for over 12 years, the community had been oblivious of a means of relating their sufferings to the government. She expressed her joy over our visit and asked us not to relent on carrying out the project to other communities thriving in conditions similar to theirs. She asked how the villagers, as timid and uneducated as they were, would be able to seek redress in cases of public institutions breaching the provisions of the FOIA.

Bar. Emeka Okoroafor addressed her question by stating that all the villagers need to do is communicate to the clinic about such refusal or breach and the clinic would take up the matter. He further stated that the clinic is located at Faculty of Law, Abia State University.


Chief Louis Chukwemeka expressed his fear over questioning some institutions and personalities over the mismanagement of funds. This situation was addressed by the Staff Clinician, who stated that the villagers need not entertain fear but should embrace this wave of change as its benefits are overwhelming and that the clinic would assist in all manner practicable to ensure the safety of persons who probe about their welfare.

   

The  host, Chief Simeon Akonu, thanked the Law Clinic Team for remembering the community in their project and also admonished the team not to relent in enlightening other neighbouring communities of the essence of the Freedom of Information Act 2011. He stated that the leaders of the community, those present and in absentia, will commune and agree on a suitable date for the clinic to address the whole community about the FOIA such date will be communicated to the clinic in due time.

The law clinic team exchange contacts with the dignitaries, as well as presented them with copies of the freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2011 translated in Igbo Language. Miss Nkechinyere Ogazi said the closing prayer and the clinic team took snapshots with the dignitaries.

The clinicians present at the advocacy visit are:

Barr. Emeka Okoroafor (Staff Clinician)


2. Erugoh Desiree ( Head Clinician)

3. Sandra Igwe

4. Odika Chidiebere

5. Abia Humphrey

6. Okezuonu Obioma Emmanuel.