The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has conferred the Defender of Justice Award to Comrade David O. Anyaele, Executive Director Centre for Citizens with Disabilities and Convener, Coalition of Disability Organisations in Nigeria.
The award was conferred to Comrade Anyaele during the Annual General Conference of the CDHR in recognition of his service to the nation.
Presenting the Award to Comrade Anyaele at the Human Rights Conference and Leadership Training held in Lagos as part of the activities to commemorate Human Rights Day, the president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Dr Kahinde Taiga, described David as a man who has touched lives in Nigeria and worldwide.
He further described him as someone who has been fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities, which he has done through leading the campaign for the passage of Disability Bills at the national and state levels.
“He has contributed positively to human capital development as such; we present this award to encourage him to do more. We recognise you as a person that has affected lives.
“You have fulfilled the aims of CDHR, being a member and a man that has been fighting for the rights of the oppressed, speaking for the voiceless (persons with disabilities)”, Dr Taiga said.
While encouraging David to do more, Dr Taiga said, “We recognise you with this award to continue to urge you to do more. You should not stop at this junction, but we pray that God will continue to give you life, protect you, guide your family and give you more strength, and continue to possess you with that heart of fearlessness”.
Earlier in his presentation at the training, Comrade Anyaele called on CDHR to mainstream issues of disability rights in the programs and activities of the Committee.
“I call on the leadership of CDHR to review its constitution to include persons with disabilities as members of the Board of Trustees and Executive members of the organisation at the National, States and Local Government Units,” said Comrade Anyaele.
While appealing for inclusion of persons with disabilities in CDHR programs and activities, Comrade Anyaele said, “the Committee should take appropriate measures to ensure that the organisation’s annual report captures the situation of persons with disabilities from the Units, States and National. This could be done through membership drive within the disability community”.
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) is one of Nigeria’s foremost human rights organisations, founded in April 1989, during the repressive regimes of the military juntas.
CDHR has grown in membership and expanded in Branches and Units across the country. CDHR remains committed and provides invaluable support to a myriad of citizens and all persons in the defence and protection of their rights at all times and in all parts of the country, even outside the country.
CDHR played a crucial role in ensuring the end of military rule in Nigeria and the enthronement of democratic governance.