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.
No comments:
Post a Comment