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The Mantle of Patriotism Advancement Initiative (MPAI), in partnership with Amnesty International and Rotary Club of Jos Metro, has organised a synergy training to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and other stakeholders on prosecution, crime detection and compliance with human rights laws.
The training, held at Jonggrand Hotel, Jos, Plateau State, brought together legal practitioners and security personnel to discuss effective crime detection and prosecution while promoting respect for human rights in the administration of justice.
Mr. Gabriel Adama Akuta, Founder and Executive Coordinator of Mantle of Patriotism Advancement Initiative (MPAI), said the training was designed to build synergy among stakeholders and strengthen the capacity of detectives, prosecutors and welfare officers in protecting human and child rights.
Akuta, a legal practitioner, explained that the initiative was aimed at reminding participants of their responsibilities and equipping them with the knowledge required to discharge their duties effectively and in accordance with the law.
“The essence of this very programme is to improve efficiency and productivity. We decided to get everybody involved so that we can build this nation called Nigeria and, by extension, the globe,” he said.
He said MPAI also incorporated patriotism into the training, stressing that patriotic citizens would be more committed to discharging their responsibilities in the interest of the nation. He added that patriotism remained a key ingredient in building a crime-free society.
Akuta said the programme would not be a one-off exercise, as MPAI plans quarterly follow-ups to assess the implementation of lessons from the training. He said the organisation would also extend the initiative to youths, with emphasis on patriotism, leadership and followership, despite funding challenges confronting its activities.
Dr. Mathias Zechariah, Ph.D, a lecturer with the University of Jos, Nigeria, has stressed the need for human and child rights education as a tool for reducing crime and protecting vulnerable members of society.
Presenting a paper titled, “The Role of Human and Child Rights Education in the Reduction of Crime in the Society: An Advocate’s Perspective,” Zechariah said sensitisation and education were critical to ensuring that people understood and protected human rights, particularly the rights of children.
He said children must be treated in accordance with the principle of their best interest, whether they were victims of abuse or involved in delinquency, warning that trauma arising from sexual abuse and domestic violence could affect their mental health.
He also urged families, security agencies, correctional facilities, the public and the media to protect children’s rights while ensuring that perpetrators of crimes against children were brought to justice.
Representing the Commander of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Mr James Padu, Legal Officer, Miss Nanchin Kuntap, said the Service remained committed to protecting the rights and welfare of children in conflict with the law.
Kuntap explained that children below 18 years were not kept in conventional correctional centres, stressing that the NCS Act prohibits the detention of children alongside adults. She said children in conflict with the law should instead be handled through appropriate juvenile or remand institutions.
She further noted that the Child Rights Law places the best interest of the child at the centre of all interventions, adding that incarceration should be the last resort for children who come in conflict with the law.
She clarified that juvenile and remand homes in Plateau State are managed by the state government through the Ministry of Women Affairs, rather than the NCS.
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