77th UDHR Anniversary : CLO laments persistent insecurity, asks for prayers, honours Onitsha Police Area Commander, Nzota

PHIL OKOSE, Onitsha

As the 2025, 77th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), was marked on Sunday, in Onitsha, by Civil Liberties Organization (CLO, Anambra state, the rights group lamented the persistent violent crimes against Nigerians that include, killings, kidnapping for ransom, inability of the present administration to tackle the issues headlong, among others.

Making the Lamentation through its chairman, Evangelist Vincent Ezekwueme ( AMBP-UN) he stated that the anniversary was used for reappraisal on how far we have been able to enthrone human rights, socio-economic, political justice, equity, equality, morality and good governance.

According to him the celebration will motivate, influence and propel the people to patriotically and selflessly advocate and agitate for equal rights and opportunities for all citizens irrespective of tribe, ethnicity, religion, and clans cleavages.

The CLO chairman who was flanked by the secretary, Chidi Mbah, Damian Ogudike, Vincent Udeh, Amb. Rita Amah, Onyeka Obi, Stanley Okoro and others, said that the anniversary was low keyed based on the present insecurity conditions, socio-economic and political quagmire.

Ezekwueme disclosed that the theme of this year’s UDHR, “Human Rights Our Every Day Essentials,” is an indication that human rights are inevitable, inexorable, ineluctable and indispensable in our every day life and activities.

“The rights group offered special prayers for the repose of souls of departed Comrades, especially veteran journalist Alphonsus Nwaeze and those who lost their lives in the spate of killings, bloodletting, armed robbery, kidnappings, banditry, herder’s -farmers clashes, among others.

It also prayed for urgent God’s intervention in the worrisome and unbearable insecurity situation in the country.

Highpoint on the occasion was the honouring of the Onitsha Police Area Commander, Mr. Chidi Nzota, (ACP), with “Meritorious Services” award, for his unprecedented efforts and sacrifices towards restoring, improving security, night life, eradicating and reducing drastically crimes and criminalities.

According to the CLO chairman, Nzota has been able to inculcate in the officers and men, under his jurisdiction, moral rectitude, patriotism, selflessness, diligence, doggedness, and civility, including using carrot and stick approach in combating crimes and constantly holding town hall meetings with resident, associations and groups to get feedback and first hand information that has helped tremendously in crimes preventions and controls.

In his response, Nzota thanked the rights group for finding him worthy to be so honoured adding that the award will spur him to perform more than he did.

He recalled that when he assumed duty in Onitsha as the police area Commander that it was fear of the unknown because of the criminals that took over Onitsha and its environs adding that he was able to chase them away and that the unfortunate ones did not live to narrate their ordeal in the hands of the police in Onitsha.

He thanked all and sundry for the cooperation with them that has resulted in the people sleeping with their two eyes closed adding that night life that eluded the residents has been restored because of security.

Speaking, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee disclosed that necessary arrangements and efforts were made to ensure hitch-free, result oriented and successful event with public lecture themed, “Justice Panacea to Insecurity”.