National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has concluded plans to train tricycle (keke) riders on human rights promotion and protection in Akwa Ibom State. The commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, made the promise in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital at the weekend, while addressing a group of tricycles operators at the commission’s office.

The executive secretary said he would commence the training session for the riders at the end of this month on the basic issues of human rights. “By the end of this month, I will come here to lecture you on human rights issues. I will start the first lesson, I will give ID cards.

“The keke drivers in Akwa Ibom State will be the people’s advocates; we are giving you handbills, emblems to preach the message of human rights. You are the people’s advocates, once every month, the keke people will come here for lessons on human rights,” Angwe said.

He assured the riders that human rights were not measured by class, explaining that the rights were equal for both the rich and the poor. Angwe said that NHRC was acting like a middleman, liaising between the government and the people. He maintained that as the custodian of the liberty and rights of Nigerians, NHRC was committed to empowering the people with basic knowledge of their rights. “Today, it is our priority that every Nigerians know his or her own rights,” Angwe said.

Besides, the leader of the Keke Riders Association, Mr. Emma Jackson, thanked the commission for rescuing them when the agents of government imposed exorbitant levy on them daily. “We were here, we used this noble establishment to gain our rights,” Jackson said.

Jackson said that the group always rely on the commission to seek redress on any infringement on their rights.

Source: : Daily Independent