The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has elected a new National Executive Council and announced plans to strengthen human rights advocacy following its Annual General Conference in Ota, Ogun State. Delegates from 27 state branches attended the conference, held under the theme “Human Rights as our Everyday Essentials: Fundamental, Inviolable, Indiscriminate,” to review the organisation’s activities and elect national officers for a two-year term.
According to resolutions adopted at the meeting, the National Council ratified branch elections in Lagos and Delta states and approved the inauguration of new state branches.Delegates also dissolved the previous Board of Trustees and elected a new five-member board comprising Olasupo Ojo, Debo Adeniran, Lucky Akarueze, Gbenga Awosode and Femi Falana (SAN).
In his keynote address, Ojo urged rights groups to focus on local realities and grassroots engagement, calling for increased public education on rights in communities and public spaces.CDHR President Debo Adeniran said the organisation would prioritise reconciliation within its ranks and expand its presence nationwide. He described human rights as “everyday necessities” and called for closer collaboration between civil society, legal practitioners and law enforcement.
Representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ota branch, and the Nigeria Police Force also spoke on the need to uphold the rule of law while protecting fundamental rights.The newly elected national officers include Debo Adeniran (President), Godwin Anyebe (Vice President) and Deji Adebowale (General Secretary).
