INAUGURATION: Anambra Community Vows to Checkmate Corruption, Human Rights Abuses

By Praise Chinecherem

A community based Human Rights and Anti-Corruption organization was officially launched on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the prestigious Obi Ogene in Azu-Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The event, hosted by Convener of Team Make Ogbunike Great (TMOG), Dr. Chuma-Odili Harris, also featured a special lecture on the topic: “Community Awareness Campaign on the Linkage between Corruption and Human Rights”.

Dr. Chuma-Odili, who inaugurated the group, urged them to remain non-partisan and focused on educating the public about human rights violations and corrupt practices.

He explained the rationale behind the initiative: “Our primary aim is to raise a league of citizens who will be both watchdogs and ambassadors of ethical conduct in society, with the understanding that those are the bricks for the solid foundation of decency and discipline that we desire in Ogbunike as a community and Nigeria in general.”

He disclosed that the group was ready to partner with the Nigeria Police Force, the National Human Rights Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, civil society groups, the media, and governments at various levels in order to achieve its goals.

The TMOG inaugurated a 6-man executive committee led by Dr. Obi Anyanyo as chairman, while Chief Ikechukwu Odinmuo has been appointed as the secretary of the TMOG Human Rights Group.

In his vote of thanks, chairman of the TMOG Human Rights Group, Dr. Obi Anyanyo acknowledged that corruption negatively impacts the enjoyment of human rights and can be a vehicle to institutionalize violations.

“Human rights violations, in turn, facilitate and perpetuate corruption, especially high-level corruption and state capture”, he adds while pledging to work towards Checkmating them in the community.

The newly inaugurated Ogbunike Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Group is a volunteer-driven group dedicated to ensuring that human rights are respected and protected for all individuals, as enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended.