Civil Rights Council knocks on the door of Omoku

The Omoku Civil Rights Council was officially inaugurated on October 3, 2025, in Omoku Town, located in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The event drew enthusiastic participation from youths, both men and women, representing various communities and clans within the local government area.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Arochukwu Paul Ogbonna of the Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) emphasized the vital role of Civil Rights Councils (CRCs) in promoting youth mobilization, human rights advocacy, and campaigns for the rule of law, political accountability, and inclusive participation in governance, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

He highlighted the urgent need for collective social action as a driving force for political and social transformation in Nigeria. According to him, sustained civic engagement through platforms like the CRC would help redefine political leadership, enhance accountability, strengthen social welfare, and check the excesses of state power.

Mr. Ogbonna further explained that the Civil Rights Council is a community-based movement open to all citizens, with its primary mission being to create a unifying platform for youths and community members to collectively advocate for social justice and political reform. The CRC, he noted, will foster a synergy of collective action among different groups under the Include Naija Project, uniting voices and efforts toward a shared vision of change.

A key highlight of the event was a lecture delivered by Dr. Frank Nornobari, titled “Human Rights and Democracy in Nigeria: Citizens Mobilization for Political Action and Social Change.”
Dr. Nornobari explored human rights as an essential component of democracy, stressing that protecting these rights requires active and organized citizen engagement. He warned that many state actors in Nigeria often act arbitrarily and unlawfully for personal interests, undermining democratic values. He pointed out that the shrinking civic space in Nigeria has weakened citizens’ ability to participate in governance and demand accountability. In this context, he described the establishment of the CRC in Omoku as both timely and necessary, serving as a platform to rebuild citizen power, strengthen democratic participation, and enable communities to hold public officials accountable.

Following the lecture, participants constituted a steering committee to guide the activities of the new CRC unit, with Mr. Ojoba appointed as the interim coordinator. In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Ojoba expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him and pledged that the committee would immediately commence the process of conducting elections to establish a leadership structure. He also noted plans to develop programs of action and engage relevant government agencies through formal introduction letters to seek cooperation and partnership in advancing the Council’s objectives.

The inauguration of the Omoku Civil Rights Council marks a significant milestone in strengthening grassroots advocacy and civic participation in the Niger Delta. It reinforces the commitment of Social Action and community stakeholders to building a more just, accountable, and people-driven society.