tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86621361909380627062024-03-14T01:06:33.885-07:00Humanist Against Witch Killing and StigmatizationProf. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-36786344877417855612017-05-24T23:50:00.003-07:002017-05-24T23:52:20.393-07:00Goodnews: Plateau Court sentences 5 to death for killing ‘witch’<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Plateau State High Court 7 has sentenced five persons to death by hanging for killing an old woman tagged a witch.</div>
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The convicts had accused the deceased of being behind some of the mysterious happenings at Kwogu village in Riyom local government area.</div>
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The victim Mama Lyop Badung was beaten to death, while the girl who was said to have died of witchcraft was Rachael Yohann. </div>
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The accused persons were sentenced on two count charges of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.The convicted persons are Yohanna Davou, John Davou, Pam Davou, Pam Dalyop and one other.</div>
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Justice Christine Dabup on Tuesday said the witnesses called to testify in the case did not contradict themselves in their evidence and that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, while the police did not fail in their responsibility.</div>
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Having listened to the counsels of all the parties, with their final written addresses adopted, Justice Christine Dabup, sentenced the accused persons to death by hanging without any option.</div>
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After the judgment, the prosecuting counsel agreed that it was barbaric to kill a human being on accusation of witchcraft.</div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">http://dailypost.ng/2017/05/24/plateau-court-sentences-5-death-killing-witch/</span></span></div>
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-21460881425326756192014-09-19T07:56:00.003-07:002014-09-19T07:59:23.348-07:00HAPSTA O’HAWK strengthens relationship with the Nigerian Police<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As
part of the efforts to promote peace and advance social tolerance in Omuo-Ekiti
and its environs, the Humanist Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement
(HAPSTA), on Wednesday 17th September 2014, paid courtesy visits to divisional
headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">HAPSTA
Board decided, during the 2014 2<sup>nd</sup> Quarter Project Review, that there
is need to strengthen relationship with the security operatives in the Ekiti
area so as to involve them more and enjoy their goodwill in the fight against the
menace of witch killing, rape and other forms of jungle justice bedeviling the project
area. During the meetings with the Divisional Police Officers, HAPSTA’s
Admin/Accounts Manager, Seun Joseph emphasised the need to have the support of
the Nigerian Police in the fight against the witch hunters and molesters/abusers
who often carry out their activities unhindered because of the superstitious
belief s of the people and also that of the security operatives. He cited the
case of Grace Audu and two other cases where the police were accussed of being
party to the assault of the women. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In his own remarks, Kehinde B. F, the DPO of Omuo divisional police headquarters reassured HAPSTA of his support for HAPSTA/ Humanist Against Witch Killing project (O’HAWK), and that the Police, under his command, will continue to do their best in ensuring that Ekiti is rid of witch hunting and stigmatization, jungle justice, rape and other vices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Another DPO visited, Gottoh Blessing, the DPO of Omuooke divisional police headquarters, also pledged his support for HAPSTA/O’HAWK project; noting that we should not relent in our activities and hope that someday, the government would reason with us and lend us the required supports.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Noah
Balogun <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-59262543487765589842014-09-19T07:24:00.001-07:002014-09-19T07:25:05.004-07:00HAPSTA HOLDS ANTI-WITCH STIGMATISATION RALLY/ROAD SHOW<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On Thursday 18th September 2014, the
Humanist Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) took yet
another giant step in advocating against witch stigmatisation as we hold an anti-witch
stigmatization rally/road show across eight towns in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Eight
towns were purposively selected to cover the endemic areas of Ekiti where
superstitions and witch stigmatisation still hold sway. These towns include
Igbesi, Kota, Obadore-Omuo, Araromi-Oke, Ikun oba and Ilasa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The rally is predicated on HAPSTA’s
quest to further win the war against superstitions and blind religious
indoctrination which have continued to serve as impetus for witch
killing/stigmatization, ritual killing as well as jungle justice related issues
such as bullying, child labour and the prevalence of rape in these towns. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The rally which started during the early
hour of the day had about a hundred and three participants who are mostly our
volunteers. At about a quarter past ten in the morning (10:15am), the
participants gathered at the Ejire Town Hall where we discussed issues
bothering on the security of lives and properties of our people. We therefore came
to a conclusion that superstition remains the chief reason for the prevalence
of witch killing in Omuo-Ekiti and its neighbouring towns. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We moved on to agree to spend the day to
enlighten our people about the evils of blind religious indoctrination and
superstitions on our communal wellbeing and existence. We also agreed to make the
people of Ekiti aware of the laws that are in place to guard against violation
of individual human rights; and that of the penalties that would be meted
against anybody found culpable of the offenses against these fundamental human
rights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Throughout the rally, the enlightenment
campaign was particularly anchored by Ayobami Ojedokun and myself, Noah
Balogun. We both spoke blatantly against the barbaric practice of witch
stigmatization/killing, noting that it is an act of sheer wickedness against
our mothers, our wives and our daughters. We raise caution that henceforth,
anybody found culpable of this offence will not go scot-free. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On getting back to the departure point
at Ejire Hall in Omuooke, Oluwaseun Joseph and Oluwasanmi Adeyanju appreciated
the volunteers for the support and encouragement we have enjoyed from the
volunteers, noting that we are partners in the fight against witch
stigmatisation/killing and all forms of unhealthy superstition standing as cog
in the wheel of peace attainment in Ekiti and Nigeria at large. The volunteers,
represented by Tunde Ojo, gave kudos to HAMU, Norway for supporting the OHAWK
Project financially since 2013. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Noah Balogun</div>
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-56841184400513547552014-09-01T12:04:00.003-07:002014-09-01T12:27:52.918-07:00HAPSTA HOLDS SUCCESSFUL 2014 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As
part of our efforts to advocate against superstition, promote peace, justice
and social tolerance and development, the Humanist Association for Peace and
Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) on Friday 29th August 2014, holds its 4<sup>th</sup>
international conference in honour of late Prof. Olusegun Oladipo, a
quintessential scholar and a humanist of international repute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tTv8TfQBelc/VATAsRS8koI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/SYbteUGKoz8/s1600/DSCN0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tTv8TfQBelc/VATAsRS8koI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/SYbteUGKoz8/s1600/DSCN0739.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cross-section of participants at the conference</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
conference had as its theme, “Humanism, Existential Predicaments and Africa”, affords the participants the opportunity to discuss superstition, which has
continued to bedevil Africa despite the growth of science and technology, in the modern world, social reconstruction, communalism, religious profiteering, witchcraft, modernity, among other issues. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prof. O. B. Lawuyi delivering the keynote address</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The preference for the choice of the
topic and the setting is predicated on the prevalence of the instances of
superstition and its induced ilks such as witch-killing, ritual killing, and commonplace discrimination against religious minorities and the killing of albinos in contemporary Africa.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs Kehinde Oladipo receiving the Post-Homous Award bestowed on Prof. Olusegun Oladipo</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
conference which started at 9:30am, as scheduled, had 105 participants in
attendance among whom are scholars and other eminent personalities such as
Prof. Tunde Lawuyi, who delivered the Keynote Address, Prof. Wale Olajide, who delivered the Welcome Address; Dr. C. A Udefi who chaired the opening session
of the conference, Prof. Francis Offor who declared the conference opened, Dele
danladi Agbeyo (an eminent humanist), Prof. Dipo Irele , Dr. Bolatito Lanre-Abass, Dr. Christopher
Agulanna, Dr. Adeshina Afolayan, Dr. Sola Olorunyomi, among others; papers were
also presented by 18 other humanists and scholars from diverse views
(religious and non-religious).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uCSALIUoqw/VATA5WfCkKI/AAAAAAAAA0o/H7HxwyvO594/s1600/DSCN0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3uCSALIUoqw/VATA5WfCkKI/AAAAAAAAA0o/H7HxwyvO594/s1600/DSCN0764.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danladi Dele-Agbeyo receiving the Outstanding Humanist Lifetime Award in Pragmatic Humanism</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
conference, which many considered a huge success on the part of the organizers, found the trio of late Prof. Olusegun Oladipo, Levi Fragell and Danladi Dele
Agbeyo worthy of being honoured with different categories of awards for their
contributions to humanism in Africa and the world at large. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cross-section of participants</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;">The
second and the third session of the conference which was about paper
presentation started and ended as scheduled, and the conference came to a
logical conclusion during the </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">plenary</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"> session (with conference resolutions).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">HAPSTA appreciates the participants and guests, and wished them safe trip back to their various destinations.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Noah Balogun <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-33840716241086022632014-06-25T12:25:00.000-07:002014-06-25T12:25:13.889-07:00HAPSTA HOLDS TOWN-HALL MEETING IN ETINAN, AKWA-IBOM, STATE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In our effort to drastically reduce the
endemic belief in witchcraft and the prevalent practice of child-witch
stigmatization, torture and in some cases killing, the Humanist Association for
Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) on Thursday the 19th of June 2014,
holds anotger town hall meeting with elders and religious leaders in Etinan
town-hall in Etinan Local Government area of Akwa-Ibom state. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ-mloj-gyE/U6se5_crmaI/AAAAAAAAAx4/-sl6WGh72Zg/s1600/DSCN0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ-mloj-gyE/U6se5_crmaI/AAAAAAAAAx4/-sl6WGh72Zg/s1600/DSCN0622.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The town-hall meeting which has its
central theme<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">: Community Involvement in
the Campaign against Childwitch Stigmatisation</i> was to explore the nexus of the
role of the community in the war against child-witch stigmatization. The
preference for the choice of the topic and the setting is predicated on the prevalence
of the instances child-witch stigmatization in Etinan and its neighbouring
local governments in Akwa-Ibom state.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The meeting which kick-started at
12:00pm as scheduled had 38 participants in attendance among whom were
religious leaders; representing each of the three popular religions namely:
Christianity, islam and African traditional religion, serving corp members,
young school leavers, artisans and school teachers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The meeting started with a brief
introduction on who we are, what we do and the purpose of the meeting by
Emmanuel Okon. Ayobami Ojedokun as interpreted by Ekaette Ante gave an
elucidated talk on the role of the community in the fight against child-witch
stigmatization and all other forms of child abuse that is found prevalent in
Etinan, its environs and Akwa-Ibom state at large. And Emmanuel Okon also took
us through the fundamental human rights and the essence of the principles of
human rights as against the irrational belief and practice in witchcraft. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI-zpTcWKWo/U6sfCkP2gwI/AAAAAAAAAyE/1T5jIue8yQQ/s1600/DSCN0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DI-zpTcWKWo/U6sfCkP2gwI/AAAAAAAAAyE/1T5jIue8yQQ/s1600/DSCN0662.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In his own remark, the chairman of the
occasion and the paramount ruler of Etinan, Dr. J. J Nzek beseeched everybody
to cooperate with us in the fight against the irrational belief by advocating
for the respect and sanctity of human rights, peace and social justice as
against the irrational belief in witchcraft, resulting in child-witch
stigmatization/hunting capable of deterring the desired growth and development
in the area and the country at large can afford basics of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WxHPAT7wAA8/U6sh8VuDaQI/AAAAAAAAAyM/9ZNwWzpkEKw/s1600/DSCN0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WxHPAT7wAA8/U6sh8VuDaQI/AAAAAAAAAyM/9ZNwWzpkEKw/s1600/DSCN0635.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This section was followed by an
interactive session which again took an hour. Particular questions were asked
about: how we get sponsored by for our projects, whether or not we are
religious or political in our activities. A boy named Nzik remarked that he is
a witch and asked how the community can in that case be of help to him? Also,
questions on how and what do we do to avoid the problem of witch-hunting/ and
how can we protect our human rights in the face of wanton human insecurity in
the country were asked. Ayobami Ojedokun and Emmanuel Okon did justice to the
raised questions, noting that HAMU, Norway and AFRUCA, UK be appreciated for
the support given to us so far, and stressing that it takes the collective
effort of the community to successfully kicking out the mallace of witchcraft
belief in the state .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Talking about the way forwards: the
unenlightened Muslims, Christians should be educated on the useless passion of
ritual killing and the tie of familihood is entrenched. Also, education and
human rights education/advocacy is considered to be key to resolving the
problem of the menace addressing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The meeting which lasted for almost
three hours was rounded off with the eventful taking of group pictures with the
participants to make it memorable. Eight (8) participants volunteered to join
our organization.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-74006750517750530342014-06-25T12:05:00.002-07:002014-06-25T12:05:50.953-07:00HAPSTA TAKES HUMANIST SCIENCE EDUCATION TO SCHOOLS IN AKWA-IBOM STATE, NIGERIA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On Wednesday 18th of July 2014, the Humanists
Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) in her effort
to advocate for a witchcraft and superstitious belief free Akwa-Ibom state took
humanist science education to schools in Ibono and Eket Local government area
of Akwa-Ibom state Nigeria, under the auspices of Humanist and Science
Education Programme (HASTEP). </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-grnY0Xb86FE/U6sdB5zFCeI/AAAAAAAAAxc/8TK4GNKxJII/s1600/DSCN0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-grnY0Xb86FE/U6sdB5zFCeI/AAAAAAAAAxc/8TK4GNKxJII/s1600/DSCN0486.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The schools visited for the eventful
training were Secondary Grammar School Ibeno and Apostolic Church School Esit
Urua Eket where a hundred and seventy five (175) and fifty-five students (55)
were trained in the respective schools. The training which was targeted only at
the school prefects and the generality of senior school students bearing in
mind that they are part of the school leadership has its main theme: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Science Education as a Veritable Tool for Eradicating
the Irrational Belief in Witchcraft</i>. It is a renewed effort to inculcate in
the young ones the virtues of science oriented mindset and its consequent
usefulness for a peaceful and tolerant school environment and society at large.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In his opening remark, Ayobami Ojedokun said
that the training is to enable the trainees to know, imbibe and put to use the
scientific world as a guide to life as this is the prerequisite for a superstition
free, witchbased violence free and human rights conscious society. He then took
the students through the definitional and conceptual analysis of superstition
and science; the qualitiess of putting scientific worldview to use and the
virtues of putting the lessons learnt to use in their day to day activities
both in the school environment and the society at large. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RXpGMNxO54/U6sdJgVXUeI/AAAAAAAAAxo/OVlJa1B7YhY/s1600/DSCN0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RXpGMNxO54/U6sdJgVXUeI/AAAAAAAAAxo/OVlJa1B7YhY/s1600/DSCN0578.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On the other hand, Ekaette Ante <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gave his account on the danger of superstition
in the face of modernization and human rights conscious state like Akwa-Ibom
state, Nigeria. By means of expatiation, she highlighted the reasons we should
inculcate the scientific orientaion to life. Opeyemi Adeyinka corroborated this
by highlighting the problems of superstitious beliefs, saying that it is
unscientific and demeaning to the fundamental human rights. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Towards the tail end of the training,
crested T-shirts were distributed to the participants to include the teachers
that joined in the workshop. On the T-shirt is written the HAPSTA 2014 dictum
that reads thus: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">DON’T DISCRIMINATE: All
Different, All Equal </i>in front,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>and
at the back is written<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> My Rights (is) My
Life, Protect my Rights</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and Ask
Questions, Be Critical. </i>This is to make the impression long lasting on the
minds of the participants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffjYJaoAlBQ/U6sdQq3pozI/AAAAAAAAAxw/hSWK1pXKW1I/s1600/DSCN0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffjYJaoAlBQ/U6sdQq3pozI/AAAAAAAAAxw/hSWK1pXKW1I/s1600/DSCN0487.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Also, photographs were taken so as to
make the occasion a memorable one. HASTEP Team met with the school
authorities/students, took pictures with them and pledged to continue to
partner with the schools in ensuring that superstition and particularly the irrational
belief in witchcraft in the witchcraft belief endemic Akwa-Ibom state Nigeria.
In rounding up the talk, the team leaders Ayobami Ojedokun and Emmanuel Okon
held that the students are the hope of the country and hope that they would
help in the advocacy against witchcraft, witch-based violence, stigmatization
and killing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Noah
Balogun</span></b></div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-53707491847053792132014-06-16T06:21:00.004-07:002014-06-16T06:21:46.271-07:00HAPSTA MEETS WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO MITIGATE WITCH-STIGMATIZATION INCIDENCES IN KOTA-EKITI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As part of our efforts
to advocate for human rights and peaceful co-existence, the Humanist
Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) on Wedsnesday
the 11th of June 2014, holds town hall meeting with the religious of Omuooke,
Kota and Badoore area of Ekiti-east Local Government, Ekiti. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The purpose of the
meeting was to explore the nexus of religious beliefs, jungle justice and the
principles of human rights with the aim of mitigating the incidences of witch
stigmatization in Ekiti State. The preference for the choice of the topic and
the setting is predicated on the prevalence of the instances of jungle justice
which involves witch-killing and stigmatization and the killing of perceived
thieves in, Kota, Omuooke and its neighbouring towns.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eW7NCjEXgTg/U57vDOthu2I/AAAAAAAAAww/1bVzSp9yO-0/s1600/rel+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eW7NCjEXgTg/U57vDOthu2I/AAAAAAAAAww/1bVzSp9yO-0/s1600/rel+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The meeting which started
at 3:00pm as scheduled had 50 participants in attendance among whom we have
religious leaders; representing each of the three popular religions namely:
Christianity, islam and African traditional religion, serving corp. members,
young school leavers, and school teachers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The meeting kick-started
with a brief introduction on who we are and what we do by Seun Joseph.
Oluwakemi Alaba gave an elucidated talk on the idea of jungle justice. And
Oluwasanmi Adeyanju took us through the fundamental human rights and the
essence of the principles of human rights. In his presentation, Noah Balogun
related the talks of the former speakers to the prevalent happening of jungle
justice in Omuooke and its environs, noting that jungle justice is a menace
which must be dealt with and making emphasis on the need to meet with the
religious leaders to reason together to fight the menace. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Noah Balogun thus
beseeched the religious leaders to cooperate with us by advocating for the
respect and sanctity of human rights, peace and social justice as against
jungle justice and witch-hunting capable of deterring the desired growth and
development in the area and the country at large.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MQfRB_hLhw/U57vKnzAzAI/AAAAAAAAAw8/VGx5ZypDZYk/s1600/rel+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8MQfRB_hLhw/U57vKnzAzAI/AAAAAAAAAw8/VGx5ZypDZYk/s1600/rel+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This section was
followed by an interactive session which took about an hour. Particular
questions were asked about: how we get sponsored for our projects, whether or
not we are religious or political in our activities by Rev. Arojo, one of the
participants. Other questions discussed are: whether witches exist or not? How
and what to do to avoid the problem of witch-hunting/ and how can we protect
our human rights in the face of wanton human insecurity in the country. Noah
Balogun and Opeyemi Adeyinka did justice to the raised questions, noting that
HAMU, Norway and AFRUCA, UK be appreciated for the support given to us so far
and that the principles of human rights must always be considered while
dispensing their services as religious leaders.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzDWgitj1As/U57vNmucrwI/AAAAAAAAAxE/U-i7pxUx7S8/s1600/rel+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzDWgitj1As/U57vNmucrwI/AAAAAAAAAxE/U-i7pxUx7S8/s1600/rel+9.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Way forwards: the
unenlightened Muslims, Christians and traditionalists should be educated on the
useless passion of ritual killing. Education and human rights
education/advocacy is considered to be the key to resolving the menace of
witch-stigmatization. Participants assured that they shall take active part in
ensuring that this they promote sermons that would be conscious of the tenets
of human rights and social tolerance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The meeting which
lasted for almost three hours was rounded off with the eventful taking of group
pictures with the participants to make it memorable. About 21 participants volunteered
to join our organization.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---Noah, Seun, Ope and
Samuel, for OHAWK</span></div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-48130667456232832152014-06-16T06:04:00.003-07:002014-06-16T06:04:49.662-07:00HAPSTA TAKES ANTI-SUPERSTITION EDUCATION TO SCHOOLS IN OMUOOKE/KOTA, EKITI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On Tuesday 10th of June
2014, Humanists Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA)
in her effort to advocate for a truly peaceful and social tolerant society has
taken science, anti-superstition and social tolerant education to three (3) schools
in Omuooke/Kota Ekiti, under the auspices of Humanist and Science Education
Programme (HASTEP). </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Among the schools
visited for the eventful training were Isedo Comprehensive High School, with
about (46) students; Glory Idea College with (27) students and Community
Grammar School with (36) students all in Omuooke/Kota Ekiti. Also involved in
the training were some of the schools teachers namely; Mr. S. Ajiboye; Mr.
Taiwo Wasiu and Mr. Olorunsogbon Femi who are school representatives for the
training.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The training which was
targeted only at the school prefects (the newly appointed ones), bearing in
mind that they are part of the school leadership/authority has as its theme: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good Leadership and Peaceful School
Environment</i> essentially emphasized the essence of good leadership for a
peaceful and tolerant school environment and society at large.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In his opening remark,
Noah Balogun held that the training is to enable the trainees to know, imbibe
and put to use the attributes of good leadership, noting that it is the
prerequisite for a peaceful school environment and the societies at large. He
then took the students through the definitional analysis of leadership; the
qualities of good leadership and the virtue of putting the lessons learnt to
use in their days to day running of the leadership positions they occupy. On
the other hand, Seun Joseph gave his account on peace and culture of peace and
its requisite ….. in our schools environment and the country at large. By means
of expatiation, he highlighted the reasons for violence and war in our school
environment and society at large, and dwelled on how culture of peace can be
entrenched and cultivated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Towards the tail end of
the training workshop, crested T-shirts were distributed to participants. On
the T-shirt is written the HAPSTA dictum that reads thus: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">DON’T DISCRIMINATE: All Different, All Equal. Protect my Rights</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and Ask Questions, Be Critical …..</i>This
is to make the impression long lasting on the minds of the participants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wm5-r942kOI/U57rLxR7-3I/AAAAAAAAAwo/Q3rkVAEHTZs/s1600/CGS+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wm5-r942kOI/U57rLxR7-3I/AAAAAAAAAwo/Q3rkVAEHTZs/s1600/CGS+6.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Also, photographs were
taken so as to make the occasion a memorable one. HASTEP Team met with the
school authorities/students, took pictures with them and pledged to continue to
partner with the schools in ensuring that the students are better leaders. In
rounding up the talk, the team leaders, Noah Balogun and Sanmi Adeyanju said
that the training is in stages and the final stage would be held in August to
commemorate the year’s World Youth Day, later in 2014.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">---Noah, Seun, Ope and Samuel, for
HAPSTA-OHAWK</span></div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-72702379376104001812014-06-02T06:21:00.000-07:002014-06-02T06:23:41.092-07:00HAPSTA International Conference 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: relative; z-index: -1;"><span style="height: 129px; left: 0px; left: 585px; position: absolute; top: -9px; width: 91px;"><img height="129" src="file:///C:/Users/ADEMOW~1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2" width="91" /></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">HAPSTA
International Conference, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 5pt 31.7pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">(In Honour of Late Professor Olusegun Oladipo, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 5pt 31.7pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">pioneer Chairman, Nigerian Humanist Movement)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Humanist Association
for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA), Ibadan Nigeria, is pleased
to announce its year 2014 international conference aimed at initiating
discourses that are dear to humanism promotion in the face of contemporary
existential predicaments bedeviling African development. The year 2014
conference is also specially organized to honour Late Prof. O.T. Oladipo, a
quintessential scholar and humanist of international repute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Conference Theme:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Humanism, Existential Predicaments
and Africa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sub-themes: <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.
Humanism, Social Reconstruction and
Africa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.
Epistemicide and African Leadership
Crisis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.
Election, Zero Politics and the Future
of Democracy in Africa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4. Language, Mental Decolonisation and Africa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5.
Crass Religiosity, Morality and the
African crisis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6.
Individual, Community and Contemporary
African society<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7.
Science, Humanism and Development<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8.
Nollywood, Ghollywood, Kannywood and
the Development Question<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9.
Ritual Killing, Yahoo-Yahoo and the
Craze for Wealth in Nigeria<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10.
Witchcraft Stigmatisation/Abuse and Human Security<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">11.
Terrorism, Insurgency and National Security<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">12.
Social Media Activism, Human Rights and Good Governance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Arrival: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday
28<sup>th</sup> August, 2014<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Time: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4.00pm<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Conference Proper</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Friday 29th August, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Venue</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:
Conference Center, University of Ibadan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Time</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:
9.00am<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Opening Address: </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Prof.
Wale Olajide<b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: -45.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dept of Philosophy, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ekiti State University,Nigeria </span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></b>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Keynote Speaker:</b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Prof. O. B. Lawuyi,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Dept of Archaeology & Anthropology</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">University of Ibadan, Nigeria</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Abstract
of not more than 150 words should be sent to any of the contacts below, on or
before <b>July 20, 2014</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Chair, L.O.C, Dr. Francis Offor:
offor66@yahoo.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Secretary, L.O.C, Noah Balogun:
nuahbalogun@gmail.com <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">HAPSTA Secretariat: hapstaconference2014@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 271.5pt right 6.5in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For
information on participation:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 271.5pt right 6.5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">08121210824,
08140800310, 08060447494 <a href="http://www.hapstanigeria.net/">www.hapstanigeria.net</a>,
<a href="http://www.hawkafrica.blogspot.com/">www.hawkafrica.blogspot.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 271.5pt right 6.5in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 271.5pt right 6.5in; text-align: center;">
Funded by HAMU, Norway</div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-68493829712144432602014-05-30T07:46:00.001-07:002014-05-30T08:00:49.763-07:00HAPSTA/CRARN Reunifies Two Alleged 'Childwitches'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Earnest
Okong and Daniel Uwein Amba, two children who were stigmatized, brutalized and
sent away from home for being witches, have both been reunified with their
counseled families. The two children who have been living at the HAPSTA/CRARN
center, Ikot-Afaha since January, 2013, were rehabilitated and groomed to live
normal lives, during their stay at our center. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-MIgpt3d_U/U4iZXzS615I/AAAAAAAAAvc/kcRr-FX9KQQ/s1600/reconciled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-MIgpt3d_U/U4iZXzS615I/AAAAAAAAAvc/kcRr-FX9KQQ/s1600/reconciled.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel with his 'critical' paternal grandfather who believes "Daniel is not a Witch"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">While
Daniel’s reunification exercise took place in Etisong, Ebugu in Eket local
government area of Akwa Ibom state on 23 May, 2014; Earnest was reunified with
his paternal Uncle, Mr. Ekong Edet, on Friday 30th of August 2014 at Uyegbe Mbo
local government area of Akwa Ibom state. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Earnest
and Daniel’s feeding, health and welfare needs were well catered for while at
the center courtesy of HAMU, Norway; AFRUCA-BodyShop small grant also provided for </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%;">their educational needs</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">. </span></div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-88192648345755923552014-04-29T00:39:00.001-07:002014-04-29T00:39:47.318-07:00HAPSTA/Police team arraigns Man for stigmatizing and abandoning son<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxdljzbPSDQ/U19W-YUFT0I/AAAAAAAAAuo/Epl_IrBrREI/s1600/Emmanuel+Anthony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxdljzbPSDQ/U19W-YUFT0I/AAAAAAAAAuo/Epl_IrBrREI/s1600/Emmanuel+Anthony.JPG" height="320" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony with his son, that he stigmatized as a wizard/witch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;">On the April 17, 2014 the case of Mr Anthony who was arrested by a team of HAPSTA/CRARN staff and the Nigerian Police for abandoning his son Emmanuel Anthony at Eket Timber market was</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18px;"> transferred to Magistrate court 1 Eket but the Judge was not on seat, the man was later return back to the police cell.<br /><br />On the April 25, 2014 the IPO (Mrs Helen) took the man again to the court and the Magistrate ordered the police to re-arrange the case that the case file was not properly filed; and the man was returned again to the police cell.<br /><br /><br />The case comes up on Monday, April 28, 2014 at Chief Magistrate Court 1 Eket. The case number was read, as between the Nigerian Police vs. Mr. Anthony. When the charge was read as follows “ that you Mr. Anthony Okon on the 17th of February 2014 accuses your child master Emmanuel Anthony of being a wizard and abandoned him at Eket timber market and ran away, are you guilty or not ?” he pleaded not guilty. The magistrate then ordered that the man be remanded in the prison custody pending the trial on the 30rd May 2014. That family court is not yet constituted in his court therefore the case is been transferred to High court 2 for further hearing. He was transferred to the prison custody Eket with an option of bail of Five Hundred Thousand Naira and that the person should be a village head and must submit 2 recent passport photographs.<br /><br />The court was dismissed by 3:30pm.<br /><br />At High Court 2, the case will be presided over by Justice Teresa Obot who is an expert in Child Right Law and was also a member of Akwa Ibom State Commission of inquiry into witchcraft accusation on children that was setup by the State Governor in 2010.<br /><br />HAPSTA/CRARN SCRIP if funded by HAMU, Norway<br /><br />Report by Emmanuel Okon</span></div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-32259061986952009492013-09-07T19:24:00.001-07:002013-09-07T19:24:12.199-07:00Justice for Grace, a Woman Battered, Stripped and Nearly Killed for Witchcraft Allegation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">For daring to report to the Police, Grace still receives threats from different people she does not know over the phone. And they are making life miserable for her and her children such that she does not know the next step in life. She feel</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">s so unsafe and helpless. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ts330uORm9k/UihKBzhHByI/AAAAAAAAAqE/bA1IOOOE5nE/s1600/1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ts330uORm9k/UihKBzhHByI/AAAAAAAAAqE/bA1IOOOE5nE/s320/1.jpeg" width="226" /></a></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Hence, she demands for justice as the only way to clear her name, restore her dignity and receive adequate compensation in order to guarantee the future of her children. The NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CAN ACT ON HER BEHALF. SEND OR CALL ANY OF THESE NUMBERS AND DEMAND THAT THEY INVESTIGATE AND DEMAND JUSTICE FOR GRACE: +2348054707559, +2348077091123, +234807 709 1124, +2348077091126, +234807 569 7449</span></div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-23828411120976756262013-09-05T02:14:00.000-07:002013-09-05T02:14:06.531-07:00Stripped, Tortured and Molested for Witch Allegation: Justice for Grace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Accused of being a Witch, Striped and molested by Aiyedun-Ekiti community, JUSTICE FOR GRACE Campaign is on.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ts330uORm9k/UihKBzhHByI/AAAAAAAAAqA/ul1i4D4PQ5Q/s1600/1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ts330uORm9k/UihKBzhHByI/AAAAAAAAAqA/ul1i4D4PQ5Q/s320/1.jpeg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.984375px; text-align: left;">The DPO and the IPO are bribed...yet justice must be done! No going back.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.984375px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbatotGGXIU/UihKMisvEmI/AAAAAAAAAqM/32mpZw_pmyU/s1600/2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pbatotGGXIU/UihKMisvEmI/AAAAAAAAAqM/32mpZw_pmyU/s320/2.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px; text-align: left;">JUSTICE FOR GRACE: The King (Alaye) of Oke Aiyedun was an exemplary King for standing for TRUTH and JUSTICE when Grace was mobbed and about to be killed: Grace was mobbed, tortured, locked with dead body at the trunk of the car, naked and subjected to untold inhuman treatment at Aiyedun.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5-BG3hYXXA/UihKWM_GGTI/AAAAAAAAAqU/teVS5FRBLQI/s1600/4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5-BG3hYXXA/UihKWM_GGTI/AAAAAAAAAqU/teVS5FRBLQI/s320/4.jpeg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.984375px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.984375px; text-align: left;">This is really INHUMAN..Grace is not only devastated, traumatized but her means of livelihood has been razed..AN INJUSTICE IS AN INJUSTICE.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">OHAWK Project.</span></div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-13289461140659195302013-08-27T04:45:00.004-07:002013-08-27T04:54:19.337-07:00Child-Witchcraft Accusation: HAPSTA Aids Police<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">---arrests
petty trader who abandoned ‘witch’son in neighboring state<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
petty trader, Mr. Edoho Ben Edoho</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">on Saturday 24th August
2013 was arrested by men of Eket Divisional Police Command for child abuse and
trafficking. Mr. Edoho who hailed from Akpautong in Esit Eket Local Government
of Akwa Ibom state was arrested at his shop in Ikot Odiong, Eket</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">for
maltreating and abandoning his six year-old son Daniel Sunday after Humanist
Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) and its
partner, Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN)reported him to the
police.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According
to investigation, Mr. Edoho and his new wife accused the boy, Daniel, of being
responsible for their misfortune through his witchcraft; so, Edoho transported
Daniel to Port Harcourt back in July and abandoned him there. However, on 1st
August, a good Samaritan, Mr. George Obot found the boy in Ahaoda Rivers state
and took him to HAPSTA Children Transit Centre in Eket where the boy was
accommodated.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M123utDsduE/UhyTKWhdzmI/AAAAAAAAApk/tw3kqFTbGN4/s1600/rescued+boy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M123utDsduE/UhyTKWhdzmI/AAAAAAAAApk/tw3kqFTbGN4/s320/rescued+boy+1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Commenting
on the arrest, HAPSTA Project Manager, Mr. Ayobami Ojedokun said due to their
experience in the state since 2008, members of the organisation are not
surprised by the tactics being employed by child abusers and that they will not
relax their efforts in prosecuting them.</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He added that the
organisation since 2008 has been caring and fighting for the rights of children
maltreated and stigmatised for witchcraft accusation in Akwa Ibom state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-15502844674632947472013-08-24T02:40:00.005-07:002013-08-24T02:40:41.222-07:00HAPSTA BRINGS SMILES TO FAMILIES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
---<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><b style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reunifies Two
Boys With Families</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">The
members of Humanist Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement
(HAPSTA) bring joy and smiles to the Asuquo and Okon families when two boys
Asuquo Ita Asuquo and Okon Ita Okon who were stigmatised and abandoned to the
streets as a result of witchcraft accusation were reunified with their families
on Tuesday 20th August 2013 at their various home towns.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGajF0k8DLo/Uhh_RlbgKAI/AAAAAAAAApI/XlrDPhTWBRQ/s1600/Photo0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGajF0k8DLo/Uhh_RlbgKAI/AAAAAAAAApI/XlrDPhTWBRQ/s320/Photo0309.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Asuquo,
a 16-year old who had been at the HAPSTA/CRARN Transit Centre, Eket since 27th September
2011 was reunified with his family at Edikor Village, Udung Uko Local Government
of Akwa Ibom. His father, Mr. Ita Asuquo Effiong who received Asuquo said the
members of his family are very happy to welcome him back into the family after
staying at the Transit Centre for 24 months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yr3_hbm30L4/Uhh_ALOU7tI/AAAAAAAAAo4/wUWa0DTaA9g/s1600/Photo0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yr3_hbm30L4/Uhh_ALOU7tI/AAAAAAAAAo4/wUWa0DTaA9g/s320/Photo0315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
Oron where Okon was reunited with his maternal family at No. 12, Eyulo Street,
his mother Mrs. Ini Okon Adatong appreciated all the organisation did for the
boy since he was rescued. She promised to take good care of the boy and protect
him from the stigma of the accusation.</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Asuquo had been in the
care of the organisation since 29th April 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PH0OBnOo-o/Uhh_NjCoSMI/AAAAAAAAApE/b4J_eTTexng/s1600/Photo0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PH0OBnOo-o/Uhh_NjCoSMI/AAAAAAAAApE/b4J_eTTexng/s320/Photo0321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">HAPSTA
with its partner Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) through the
Stigmatised Child Rights Project (SCRIP), funded by HAMU, Norway, had since
2008 been fighting for the rights of children accused and labeled as witches;
rescuing them from brutality of their accusers and taking them to custody. The
SCRIP Project Manager, Mr. Ayobami Ojedokun speaking during the reunification said
more children at the Transit Centre whose families and accusers had been
reoriented and are suitable for reunification will soon be reunited with their
families. He said the organisation will not relent in its efforts to protect
and care for the stigmatised children, and most importantly reunify them with
their families because the family is still the best place for child development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-90195944466556709052013-08-20T06:42:00.003-07:002013-08-20T06:43:55.613-07:00Humanists Recognise Outstanding Child Rights Campaigner, Police Officer and Lawyer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A
group of humanists under the umbrella of Humanist Association for Peace and
Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) with their partners at the Child Rights
and Protection Network (CRARN), Eket recognised the outstanding contributions
of three citizens who have dedicated their time, resources and energies to
fighting superstitious beliefs and practices resulting in various human rights
abuses. The three citizens recognised and presented with the 2013 Humanitarian Service Award are a Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Sunday Digha (SP), a human
right lawyer, Barrister Pius Madaki and a Briton, Chief (Mrs.) Ann Medekong.
The three awardees were presented with their awards at the HAPSTA 2013
International Conference held at Roseboom Hotel and Resorts, Eket on Saturday
17th August 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_fkh4YfM_U/UhNxnULzYfI/AAAAAAAAAoc/wO05YY6Sp3M/s1600/SAM_1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V_fkh4YfM_U/UhNxnULzYfI/AAAAAAAAAoc/wO05YY6Sp3M/s320/SAM_1614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">One
of the recipients of the award, Mr. Sunday Digha on behalf of other awardees
thanked the members of the organisation for the honour done them and promised
to continue to be committed to the betterment and progress of the human race. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mlUCpbCYGU/UhNyIGomV9I/AAAAAAAAAoo/JTY2KuUCV6M/s1600/SAM_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mlUCpbCYGU/UhNyIGomV9I/AAAAAAAAAoo/JTY2KuUCV6M/s320/SAM_1625.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Also speaking at the occasion, the Project Director of the organisation, Mr.
Adeyemi Ademowo who presented the awardees with the plaques explained that although,
the awardees are not humanists but their activities which are in line and
promote the organisation’s vision of a world free of human rights violation are
recognised to encourage others who are suitably positioned to render such
humanitarian services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-43160050712555949892013-08-20T06:25:00.000-07:002013-08-20T06:25:02.542-07:00Scholars Question Religiosity at HAPSTA Conference <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>---participants urge Human Rights Education promotion</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NddaiskBCk/UhNtb16CFbI/AAAAAAAAAoA/IXqdAIDI5xs/s1600/SAM_1821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NddaiskBCk/UhNtb16CFbI/AAAAAAAAAoA/IXqdAIDI5xs/s320/SAM_1821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
important positions human rights occupy in the quest for development in Africa
have been recently emphasised. This was reiterated on Saturday 17th August at
the 2013 HAPSTA International Conference held at Roseboom Hotel and Resorts,
Eket where scholars converged to discuss Africa’s quest for development in the
21st century. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAZPfQnYevM/UhNtFCcyPlI/AAAAAAAAAn4/g0bp5rDdu1A/s1600/SAM_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MAZPfQnYevM/UhNtFCcyPlI/AAAAAAAAAn4/g0bp5rDdu1A/s320/SAM_1786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">At the conference with the theme ‘Superstition, Human Rights and
Development in Africa’ organised by the Humanist Association for Peace and
Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA), issues pertinent to development were
examined by scores of scholars from various institutions who presented papers bothering
on pervading superstition and prevalent human rights violation at the face of
notorious religiosity in the continent.</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Some of the scholars
argued that religiosity should be played down if development is to be sustained
in Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-1ysYi70j8/UhNs4gvoXLI/AAAAAAAAAns/QSrYl2awwRM/s1600/SAM_1629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-1ysYi70j8/UhNs4gvoXLI/AAAAAAAAAns/QSrYl2awwRM/s320/SAM_1629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Presenters
at the conference include Dr. Essien Essien Daniel, Dr. Hassan Bello Ann
Medekong, Adeyemi Johnson Ademowo, Umoh Umoh, Barr. Pius Madaki, Akpan Promise
Asuquo, Ediomo-Ubong E. Nelson, Adegoke
Peter Damilola, Diana-Abasi Ibanga, Abdul Hassan Bello, Anthonia Essien,
Ayobami Ojedokun, Elegbede Babatunde, Anthonia Essien, Osagbemi Olumide,
Temidayo Oladipo, Uchechukwu Ilo, George Ogbonna Mbarah and Tola Layode.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeyTUT8H1YE/UhNtxeRZP4I/AAAAAAAAAoI/HwKDzhFPuNk/s1600/conference+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xeyTUT8H1YE/UhNtxeRZP4I/AAAAAAAAAoI/HwKDzhFPuNk/s320/conference+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
all, the conference can be adjudged to have made the projected impact because <span style="background: #EDEFF4; color: #333333;">new ways of combating the witchcraft
menace were discussed and it affords like-minds the opportunity to meet for the
sake of secularism, human rights and development in Africa</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-49001373071215737602013-08-20T05:48:00.001-07:002013-08-20T06:31:00.138-07:00HAPSTA Increases Staff/Volunteers’ Capacity to Fight Stigmatisation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Humanist
Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) upped efforts
to fight superstition and eradicate the stigmatisation of children accused of
witchcraft by expanding the frontier of knowledge of her staff and the alert
volunteers at a training which took place at the CRARN/HAPSTA Transit Centre
Eket on Friday 16th August 2013. The staff and the alert volunteers were trained
on strategies of sensing and identifying dangerous situation(s) threatening to
the life and wellbeing of the children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZY-Ch8fv70/UhNikSJVnyI/AAAAAAAAAnc/zl_mT6Pu-iU/s1600/SAM_1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZY-Ch8fv70/UhNikSJVnyI/AAAAAAAAAnc/zl_mT6Pu-iU/s320/SAM_1414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">According
to one of the organisers of the training, Mr. Ayobami Ojedokun, the need for
increasing the capacity of the personnel is expedient at this time due to the
changing patterns of child abuse and witch labeling observed in recent times;
therefore, the volunteers needed to be kept abreast of time in order to
understand the changes. The training had in attendance trainers who are social
workers, experts in science education and scholars in the field of culture;
among whom are Adegoke Damilola, ’Tola Layode, Adeyemi Ademowo, Oladipo
Temidayo among others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc0WPnf2SAE/UhNvgx6322I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/J1GKNiRYfGg/s1600/SAM_1457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc0WPnf2SAE/UhNvgx6322I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/J1GKNiRYfGg/s320/SAM_1457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
annual staff/alert volunteers training is funded by HAMU, Norway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-67778021310562522292013-08-07T03:17:00.001-07:002013-08-07T06:37:05.817-07:00HAPSTA 2013 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"></span></span></b>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdoXl_v9h9k/UgIeDG8yYxI/AAAAAAAAAm8/88Uxm5JGNwQ/s1600/africa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdoXl_v9h9k/UgIeDG8yYxI/AAAAAAAAAm8/88Uxm5JGNwQ/s200/africa.jpg" width="149" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;" /></span></b>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Theme: </i></span></span><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">SUPERSTITION, HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Speakers include:</b></span></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Ann Medekong </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">AdeyemiJohnson Ademowo</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Umoh Umoh</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Barr. Pius Madaki, "Legal Incuberances<br />Akpan Promise Asuquo<br />Yomi Ogunsanya<br />Ediomo-Ubong E. Nelson, et. al<br />Adegoke Peter Damilola<br />Diana-Abasi Ibanga<br />Abdul Hassan Bello<br />Ayobami Ojedokun<br />Elegbede Babatunde<br />Essien Essien Daniel<br />Osagbemi Olumide<br />Temidayo Oladipo<br />Ajigboye Oyeniyi<br />Uchechukwu Ilo</span><br />
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</div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; line-height: normal;">George Ogbonna Mbarah</span><br />Anthonia Essien</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Tola Layode<br />Moruff Mudashiru<br /><br /><b>Date: 16-17th August, 2013</b></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b>Venue: Roseboom Hotel and Resorts, Eket/Oron Road, Eket, Akwa-Ibom State</b></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b><br />Time: 9:00am - 6:00pm</b></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><b>Participation is free!</b><br /><i>In conjunction with CRARN, Eket<br />Sponsored in full by HAMU, Norway (including the book that will be published afterwards!)</i></span></div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-55217465985239521672013-08-01T08:13:00.002-07:002013-08-01T08:13:44.285-07:00O’HAWK Town-Hall Meeting Kicks Off In Ekiti<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The HAMU supported project – Omuo
Humanist Against Witch-Killing and Stigmatisation (O’HAWK) of the Humanist
Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) kick started
its series of town hall meetings with the people of Omuooke-Ekiti and the
Kota-Ekiti Youths. The enlightenment meetings tagged ‘Safeguarding Human Rights
and Addressing Superstition for the Sake of Development’ were successful as
they bore immediate fruits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8hklIyvVwQc/Ufp570hKhjI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/rt36p5A3q9I/s1600/SAM_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8hklIyvVwQc/Ufp570hKhjI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/rt36p5A3q9I/s320/SAM_1215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As the people of
Omuooke-Ekiti celebrate the new yam festival with the traditional breaking of
new yam by his Highness, Oba Valentine Otitoju, on Tuesday 30th July, 2013, the
members of the community were enlightened on the need to protect ‘accused
witches’ rights as failure to do so retards development. The people of the town
who gathered in large number at the palace of Oba Otitoju were sensitised on
human rights, evils of superstition and the quest for development in modern
Nigeria. The message generated debate among the people as they were divided on
the ‘supposed rights of accused witches’, however, the enthusiasm showed by
some of the audience who volunteered to partner with the organisation on the
promotion and protection of the rights of accused persons testifies to the
optimism that the meeting would go a long way to affect the orientation of
members of the community positively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhtY_EscCXA/Ufp5iF48RJI/AAAAAAAAAmM/4LzB7Wi6S1k/s1600/SAM_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhtY_EscCXA/Ufp5iF48RJI/AAAAAAAAAmM/4LzB7Wi6S1k/s320/SAM_1203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Earlier on Monday 29th
July, the youths of Kota-Ekiti, a neighbouring community that shares border
with Omuooke-Ekiti, were enlightened on the same subject by members of the organisation.
The youths numbering about fifty four (54) at the NURTW Hall, Kota, the venue
of the Youth Town Hall meeting questioned the appropriateness of allocating any
rights to accused witches and the protection of such when the ‘accused witches’
are perceived as enemies of the good people of the community. Their question
was however answered by bringing to their understand, the fundamental issue
that the ‘accused witches’ are primarily human and so has the rights as every
other humans regardless of what they are being accused of, and hence, their
rights must be guaranteed and protected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ItT1-tHpq8/Ufp6UJhjNVI/AAAAAAAAAmc/-eYQUHQKuBE/s1600/SAM_1239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ItT1-tHpq8/Ufp6UJhjNVI/AAAAAAAAAmc/-eYQUHQKuBE/s320/SAM_1239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The youths who at the
end of the enlightenment meeting showed appreciable understanding of the
universal allocation of rights exhibited their understanding by volunteering.
The meeting produced five (5) volunteers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzWNxtIdLVs/Ufp6yJhZYyI/AAAAAAAAAmk/WaoTuCDgCp8/s1600/SAM_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzWNxtIdLVs/Ufp6yJhZYyI/AAAAAAAAAmk/WaoTuCDgCp8/s320/SAM_1244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a testimony to the
success of the meetings, Major E. K. Ogunsakin (rtd), an indigene of Araromi
Quarter in the area and a man considered as the custodian of “peoples’ rights”
met and discussed with members of the organisation and promised his full
support for the organisation on the project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">- By Seun and Babatunde (O'HAWK)</span></div>
</div>
Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-51889912054950357702013-06-14T02:57:00.002-07:002013-06-14T03:02:07.886-07:00HAPSTA arrests 'parents' who abandoned their children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9d4QsTM4Ryk/UbroyZwAcsI/AAAAAAAAAkw/16gof8CNSvk/s1600/arrest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9d4QsTM4Ryk/UbroyZwAcsI/AAAAAAAAAkw/16gof8CNSvk/s320/arrest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
HAPSTA/CRARN crack/investigation team and the Police, this morning at around 4:00am arrest Mr Victor Ononganwi in Orukim village in Mbo LGA who abandoned his two children in Eket. The man and wife whom the children identify as their parents were arrested and detained behind the counter. During cross-examination it was discovered that the two persons were not their "biological parents" rather there were their aunt and her husband who took care of them sometime ago but later turned to stigmatized and abandoned them. Police is planning a re-visit again this afternoon. They are still under police investigation. </div>
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-34491320632081052722013-05-24T06:05:00.000-07:002013-05-24T07:11:34.079-07:00National High School Hosts HAPSTA/CRARN Science Education Promotion Team<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Humanist
Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) and its
partner, Child’s Rights and Rehabilitation Network, Eket continues to promote
humanist and science education in the child-witch endemic areas of Akwa Ibom
state as her members and staff visited National High School Etebi, Esit Eket on
Monday 20th May 2013. The aim of the visit is to promote science and humanist
education among the pupils so that they will serve as change agents in
checkmating superstitious beliefs and practices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
students were taught the principles, importance and relevance of science
education that are vital in the campaign to eradicate child-witch stigmatisation.
HAPSTA resource persons made</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> t</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">he pupils to understand the evils
of superstitious beliefs and obsolete taboos; and hence, encouraged the pupils
to embrace and imbibe scientific and rational thinking that are antidotes to
the humiliating cultural beliefs and practices. They were encouraged to in turn
enlighten their parents and guardians on the need to embrace scientific worldview
and reject superstitious beliefs and practices. The organisation distributed
free advocacy materials such as branded T-shirts, hand bands, books and pens to
the pupils who participated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">The
Principal of the school, Mr. Effiong Asuquo Ekong on behalf of the pupils and
the school thanked the members of the organisation for their efforts in attempt
to rescue the state from destructive superstitions and belief in witchcraft. He
especially thanked the organisation for making his school a beneficiary of the
project.</span></div>
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At the end of the programme, ten pupils were selected as HSEP Ambassador (Humanist and Science Education Promotion), while project t-shirts and handbands were given to the students.</div>
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-25706012582059931452013-05-24T05:48:00.001-07:002013-05-24T07:14:03.932-07:00Esit-Eket Town-Hall Meeting, another Huge Success<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">There
were indications that we are winning the war against superstitions and belief
in witchcraft as a large turn-out, enthusiastic volunteers and encouraging
responses from the participants underscore the success recorded at the Esit
Eket Advocacy. The advocacy meeting held on Tuesday 21st May 2013</span><span style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">at
Abighi Okpono Town Hall, Uquo, Esit Eket had an unprecedented 105 registered
participants in attendance, even as 13 enlightened participants enlisted as
volunteers at the end of the meeting.</span></div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m58qCs1qMm8/UZ9gZ4TOSBI/AAAAAAAAAjU/45zIzjclXUA/s1600/SAM_0337.AVI" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D44fa9f60b6a2f756%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1371991401%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DAE4568AD5EDA68F16A7FAF5CDFEA2FF50CA8E916.57EE23448046F078ADC9E82A08DCCF54088A114B%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D44fa9f60b6a2f756%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1371991401%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DAE4568AD5EDA68F16A7FAF5CDFEA2FF50CA8E916.57EE23448046F078ADC9E82A08DCCF54088A114B%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">The
various informed responses from the town people in attendance after the
presentation titled “Support Efforts to Eradicate Childwitch Belief,
Witch-Hunting, Abuse and Stigmatisation” indicates that considerable progress
had been made in the campaign against child-witch stigmatisation in Akwa Ibom
state. For instance, Hon. Eng. Edet Upkong explained that the effort of the organisation
had yielded fruits in the area but he however pleaded with the organisation not
to rest on her oars in the effort to rid the state of the menace by fighting
the antics of the pastors whom through their prophesies accuse and label
children as witches.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsnMwB3bKSA/UZ9f-KxVznI/AAAAAAAAAiw/XDXRpyed-TA/s1600/SAM_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsnMwB3bKSA/UZ9f-KxVznI/AAAAAAAAAiw/XDXRpyed-TA/s320/SAM_0372.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
attendance at the meeting were Secretary Esit Eket Traditional Rulers Council,
Chief Alan Kelvin; Esit Eket Women Leader, Chief Mrs. Asuquo Uwana-Etebi; Hon.
Edet Upkong among other notable men and women.</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Chief Alan
Kelvin in his closing remark promised that the people of Esit Eket will
continue to support the effort of the organisation in her bid to make life
better for the children of the state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-85654274845496113652013-04-29T03:31:00.000-07:002013-04-29T03:31:14.068-07:00HAPSTA/CRARN rebuilds a dilapitated House of Reconciled Alleged Childwitches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One of the factors that has led to stigmatisation is the depreciated standard of living of families of aleged child witches; hence to forestall further escalation of the stigma the alleged childwwitches have lived with, the HAPSTA SCRIP team through their volunteers renovated a dilapitated building housing two alleged witches and their mum.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gB-mnse3eW4/UX45nQmGBdI/AAAAAAAAAgk/m6GEg11a5p0/s1600/utitofon%2527s+house+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gB-mnse3eW4/UX45nQmGBdI/AAAAAAAAAgk/m6GEg11a5p0/s320/utitofon%2527s+house+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Building before renovation</td></tr>
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Expressing her appreciation, the mum of the children thanked the team and their supportters, most especially HAMU, NOrway and Swedish Humanist Aid for their supports.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jI5zZA1MERY/UX46Oi7BqvI/AAAAAAAAAg4/5F1jNeZlOwE/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jI5zZA1MERY/UX46Oi7BqvI/AAAAAAAAAg4/5F1jNeZlOwE/s320/IMG_0896.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The building during the rebuilding</td></tr>
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HAPSTA on its part thanked the staff, CRARN volunteer Anja, and the alert committee members who supported and volunteered during the renovation.<br />
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We are grateful!<br />
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8662136190938062706.post-33734591948182419712013-04-29T01:38:00.001-07:002013-04-29T02:49:35.621-07:00HAPSTA Visits Reconciled Alleged Childwitches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">In
continued efforts to make life comfortable for the Akwa Ibom children that are
victims of witch stigmatization and in preparation for our annual ‘Reunion’
2013, HAPSTA/CRARN team during the week (22-26 April,2013) visited 5 families
who have received their stigmatized children back into the family (between 2010
and 2012). During the visits, books and pens were donated to the children as
well as various sums of money to make life better for the families.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZ5zEVpSAAM/UX458o1J_0I/AAAAAAAAAgw/4H7ypGhppKg/s1600/utitofon+2+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZ5zEVpSAAM/UX458o1J_0I/AAAAAAAAAgw/4H7ypGhppKg/s320/utitofon+2+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAPSTA/CRARN staff with the visited reconciled Children, their mum and a Danish Volunteer, Anja</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Five
families were visited during the week in various locations in the state and of
particular interest is the case of Sunday Joe sisters - Utiton; 10 years and
Mkpoikanke; 4 years, who were reconciled in 2011 with their mother after their
ordeal as victims of witch stigmatization. The sisters were discovered to be
living with their mother in a dilapidated old building ‘let out’ (even though
freely offered might be most appropriate) to them by a Good Samaritan.
Concerned by their condition, HAPSTA decided to rebuild and renovate the fallen
part of the building to in modern style/fashion. Having employed needed
builders, HAPSTA and CRARN members volunteered and were involved in the manual
labour required for the construction and renovation. In two days, remarkable
progress was made as the house is standing now just waiting to be dried before
further work resume on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYxjzptRGw4/UX44XW5jrhI/AAAAAAAAAgM/M5sEShKti8E/s1600/IMG_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYxjzptRGw4/UX44XW5jrhI/AAAAAAAAAgM/M5sEShKti8E/s320/IMG_0795.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAPSTA/CRARN Staff, the visited reconciled alleged childwitches and a Volunteer, Anja</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Stella
Okon Tommy, a 14 year old pupil of Eket Modern High School was visited at her
home in Esit Eket where she lives with her father and other family members.
Stella and her family were happy that HAPSTA intervened in her case as she had
been living happily since she was reunified with her family. Also at Esit Eket,
a 12 year old Abigael Etim Ayekan was visited. Abigael lives with her
grandmother. Due to HAPSTA/CRARN efforts, Abigael who is now a primary six
pupil is preparing to write the entrance examination to the high school. All
evidence show that Abigael and her grandmother are happy together and she is
doing well in her studies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
team is particularly happy with Jane Ikpe Essien’s situation as she is doing
excellently in her studies. Jane, a Junior Secondary School 3 student is one of
the best three students in her school. There are testimonies that Jane and her
mother are living very well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
Abasinbong brothers – Emmediong and Emmamoh 15 and 12 years respectively live
now with their uncle in Uquo. The brothers were particularly happy to receive
the members of the organisation that rescued them and gave them a renewed life.
HAPSTA donated School locker and uniforms to the brothers among other
materials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Prof. Adeyemi J. Ademowohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999202437520604531noreply@blogger.com0