Cross River Coordinator of the international human rights organization, Amnesty International, Gabriel Aniabi, says AI remains independent of any government, political ideology and economic interests.
Aniabi stated this during the inauguration of a Human Rights Clinic at the University of Calabar, stressing that the organization is neither anti-government nor being sponsored by anyone.
He noted that AI is for everyone and had in the past saved some great Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Afrobeat musician, Fela Ransome-Kuti and journalist, Agba Jalingo, among others.
Aniabi further stated that Amnesty International became handy when people needed somebody to speak for them when their rights were violated.
He said, ”We have to beam our searchlights on Nigerian Universities after the disturbing trend of sex for grades was exposed by a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reporter a few years ago.
“This spurred Amnesty International to take this fight against human rights to the universities to enable the students know what their rights are, how to stand up for their rights and channels they can pass through to access justice.”
Also speaking on the occasion, UNICAL Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, expressed delight with the human rights training of the students in the institution.
Obi, who was represented by Dean of Student Affairs, Prof Anthony Eyang, said she is a strong promoter of justice and human rights.
The VC noted that training of the students was in tandem with the environment she was working hard to establish in UNICAL.
“With over 40,000 students and 7,000 staff, there will be issues among people, so, I hope that those of the students that have been trained by Amnesty International in this clinic will shine their light on campus in promoting human rights and justice,” the VC said.
