Delta Campus Campaign Spurs Students to Defend Their Rights

The theme “Know Your Rights, Know Your Power” took centre stage on Thursday as students from tertiary institutions across Delta State gathered at the Federal College of Education Technical, Asaba for a campus awareness campaign highlighting the link between human rights knowledge and personal empowerment.

The programme, co-funded by the European Union and implemented by Social Action (Social Development Integrated Centre) in collaboration with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, focused on helping students understand that awareness of their rights is a critical tool for navigating academic and social life.

A resource person from the National Human Rights Commission, Delta State office, and Deputy State Coordinator, Barr. Patience Ovuezirie Chijindu, led discussions on how knowledge of rights empowers students to challenge injustice, protect their privacy and demand accountability.

Barr. Chijindu She explained that human rights are fundamental freedoms that every individual is entitled to, emphasizing that these rights are universal and indivisible.

Chijindu pointed out several key fundamental rights, such as the right to personal liberty, the right to a fair hearing, the right to family and private life, and freedom from discrimination.

She also noted that it is primarily the responsibility of governments to respect, protect, and fulfill these rights.

Addressing current issues, Chijindu discussed the increasing challenge of digital abuse, highlighting concerns related to privacy and digital violence while referencing relevant legal frameworks like the Cybercrime Act.

She encouraged students to assert their rights by documenting abuses with evidence while utilizing advocacy to challenge violations.

Reinforcing the campaign theme, the programme’s focal person, Barr. Augustina Obioma of Social Action, urged participants to see knowledge as power, noting that students who understand their rights are better equipped to recognize violations and seek appropriate redress.

Reacting to the session, a student of Dennis Osadebe University, Mr. Eze Godwill, said the programme stated that the programme has equipped him with practical knowledge on how to identify violations and pursue remedies.

The highlight of the programme was a campus-wide awareness walk aimed at spreading human rights messages as well as encouraging students to remain informed and proactive in defending their freedoms.