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MINUTES
OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION MEETING HELD AT PASTORAL CENTRE, JOS ON
FRIDAY 11 MAY 2001 2. OPENING PRAYER – At 4.55 pm Mr. Ominyi said the opening prayer. 3. SPIRITUAL UPLIFTMENT – Sr. Freddie reminded members of the spirit of sharing and caring among prisoners and warders at Jos prison. There was trust among them that seemed to stem from the prisoners’ being sympathetic about the warders not receiving salary regularly and yet doing their work. 4. MINUTES – The summary of the meeting of 27 April 2001 was read by the Acting Secretary and adopted by Sr. Freddie who was the only person from that meeting present at the time. 5. MATTERS ARISING FROM MEETINGS OF 27 APRIL AND 5 APRIL 2001 a) Workshop on Just Wages – Sr. Freddie noted that there had been much discussion indicating the urgent need for the workshop. Barr. Ngyou’s report on the workshop plans had been handed to Mrs. Ogunghuyi for presentation at the meeting but she was not present. He had confirmed with Sr. Barbara that the workshop could be held in July 2001. b) Report from Barr. Deshi on Visit to Local Government Chairman – Barrister Deshi was not present to report on the letter that was to be delivered. c) National Association of Catholic Lawyers’ meeting – This was held in Lagos on Saturday 28 April 2001 and attended by some Lawyers from the Archdiocese of Jos. Dr Shikyil reported as follows: - There were two opening addresses because the Deputy Governor gave her own on her late arrival. - The keynote address was given by Clement Nwankwo S.A.N., Chairman of the Committee on the Review of the Constitution. - Officers were elected including a President, three Vice Presidents representing the three former ecclesiastical zones Lagos, Enugu and Kaduna, the latter being Prof. Ayo Chukwura – a Secretary General, three Assistant Secretaries, a Public Relations Officer, a Financial Secretary and Treasurer in the person of Dr. Shikyil (it was applauded by members of Jos HRO) - Resolutions from 3 discussion groups were: i) Catholic Lawyers Association should be a formidable pressure group; ii) Citizens of Nigeria should be allowed to have a second citizenship if they fulfill certain conditions; iii) The Association was highly opposable to legalized abortion; iv) The Association was highly opposable to corruption in al aspects of the 3 arms of Government; v) The Association was highly opposable to any attempt by the military into Governance of the country including retired military officers; vi) The Association would work in collaboration with similar associations who hold that opinion; vii) The Association objects to the position of Presidency and Executive designing the constitution which should be by the people; viii) The Association expressed the need for a sovereign national conference representative of all ethnic nationalities of the country; ix) The Association expressed the need for judicial independence; x) The National Assembly should amend the constitution which confers on the National Assembly the power to amend it which is not proper; xi) The constitution can only be reviewed by a People’s Assembly or a Constituent Assembly or a Referendum. On behalf of the lawyers from the Archdiocese of Jos who attended the meeting, Dr. Shikyil thanked the Archdiocese for all the facilities provided including transport and sponsorship, which made their stay in Lagos comfortable. The next meeting of the Association would be Saturday 21 July 2001 in Lagos. Members thanked Dr. Shikyil for a comprehensive report then made comments or asked questions as follows: Quest. A member wondered why the Executive Council of the Association had been elected as representing three zones, instead of the revised nine provinces in the Catholic organization of Nigeria. Ans The Association was aware of the nine provinces but preferred the former three zone representation. Comment – As regards sovereignty vesting on the people, it seemed that Christians had not been reacting, as they should to certain wrong doings. Quest What powers were on ground to uphold the resolution an opposition to military coming into governance? Ans There is already provision in the 1999 Constitution that anyone participating in a military government even after 20 years would be prosecuted. The retired military personnel are no longer military so should normally be edged out by not being voted for. Quest What is the difference between the National Assembly and a People’s Assembly since the people elected the members of the National Assembly. Comments – Some members expressed the view that the National Assembly might not be truly representative of the majority of the people since illiteracy is still so prevalent a participatory government may not yet have sufficient people capable of participating. It might have been better to produce basic proposals to be explained to the “grassroots” so that they would thereafter be able to participate. Comment – Sr. Freddie who had attended Prof. Wole Soyinka’s lecture at the University of Syracuse in New York State around 1998, noted his statement that no democracy can work unless the people hold the government. d) Possible Increase in Petrol Price – Rev. Fr. Allahmagani was not present to report if he had discussed with the Archbishop. e) Animation Team and Parish Priests and HRO Goals Rev. Fr. Allahmagani was not present to report if he had discussed this with the Archbishop. f) Rev. Sr. Elizabeth Stella’s Case Neither Barr. Deshi nor Rev. Fr. Allahmagani was present to report on the case of Plateau State Government’s enquiry into the type of appointment Sr. Elizabeth had. 6. REPORT ON PRISONERS - Wale Anaday – The issue of proper procedures to implement his amnesty had been passed to the legal team. He had since been released. - Richard Ver had been released through the assistance of Jacob Panan, a Legal Aid Counsellor. It was confirmed from papers shown that his case was terminated and he was free. 7. REPORTS FROM PARISHES - St. Louis continued to approach Parish Societies that had not yet responded to the Justice and Peace request to talk to them about the Justice and Peace Movement and Human Rights Organisation. Three out of 17 written had still not responded. - Sr. Freddie reported that at the HRO meeting of 27 April 2001 Bro Ogunshuyi had suggested buying time for a TV programme to educate the people on human rights. This would need an Archdiocesan approach. 8. AOB a) Inter-Parish Justice and Peace Meeting – Sr. Barbara asked for a Parish to volunteer to host this meeting on Saturday 16 June 2001 and St. Michael’s Nassarawa volunteered. Mrs. Ojoade noted for new members that three officials from each Parish Justice and Peace usually attend but some Parishes had off and on sent at least an official with other members for the experience. b) Relevant Books – A publication by Ijebu-Ode Justice and Peace – Sr. Freddie showed this book “Popular Participation in Development Training Manual” available at the Institute for Pastoral Affairs (IPA), Off Bukuru By Pass in Bukuru. It was noted that the Catholic Bookshop near St. Theresa’s Church gets books from I.P.A. so could be checked for it. - The Common Good – a publication from the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales had been distributed to participants at the Catholic Lawyer’s Association meeting. The Library in Fr. Maurice Henry’s office at the Bishop’s Court should be checked on Thursday while Mrs. Ojoade would also make contact with the Catholic Secretariat Lagos to get 15 copies if available for Parish Justice and Peace groups. c) Registration Forms for West African Exams Council External Examinations in November 2001 – A member informed the meeting that there were now separate centers for male and female applicants. There was much discussion on this speculating whether it was the beginning of Sharia rules coming in by the “back door.” A member wondered if the measure might be to assist with security against examination malpractice. - Dr. Shikyil recalled that the Bishop’s Conference had discussed possible means of helping Catholic Dioceses in Northern States e.g. whether media members could go there to assist if need be. All members were urged to be on the alert to find out what was the reason for the separate male and female centers. The Chairman Rev. Fr. Allahmagani would be informed while Dr. Shikyil would contact the President of the Catholic Lawyer Association in Lagos to get in touch with the Catholic Secretariat to make the facts public. 9. CLOSING – At 6.20 p.m. Mr. Gunat said the closing prayer after which members exchanged the usual greetings. Chairman Secretary
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