Human rights activist, Ogunyinka, advocates love as a fundamental human right law

 

Comrade Lanre Ogunyinka, while speaking as guest speaker on the theme, “Advocacy and Dialogue for Sustainable Human Rights,” at the first anniversary celebration of the Otunba Lana Akintan Human Rights Foundation held at Oja Odan, Yewa North Local Government, on Saturday, admonished citizens to live in love and peace with one another.

Ogunyinka opined that where love exists, there is no need to seek human rights, because one would consider love for others before harming his or her neighbour.

While speaking, Ogunyinka agreed that human rights laws exist everywhere around the world but said the laws have become endless because of their broad scope, though they also have limitations on freedom.

He advised that when fighting for freedom, it should be based on truth, noting that only about 32% of Nigerians know their fundamental human rights under the law. Hence, many people sometimes commit wrongs believing they are exercising their rights.

He, however, noted that for human rights to be sustainable, there must be advocacy and dialogue, with love used to crown it all. He also admonished parents to stop making their schoolchildren feel it is their right to provide food for the family, thereby exposing them to various forms of child abuse by making them hawk during school hours.

The Otunba Lana Akintan Human Rights Foundation is an initiative of 95-year-old Otunba Ephraim Lana Akintan, established to bring justice to the citizens of Yewa North Local Government and its environs. It aims to sensitize people at the grassroots on basic human rights issues and to build a network of community-based leaders and citizens across rural areas as human rights champions, among other objectives.

The foundation focuses on Domestic Violence and Abuse (DOVA), Child Rights Education (CRED), Anti-Human Trafficking and Labour Practices (ATCLAP), and Empowerment Support Services (ESUS), among others.

While speaking with the media on the motive for establishing the foundation, the founder, Otunba Lana Akintan, stated that it was something he had always wanted to do since childhood and that he is ready to pursue it with all it takes.