At the 2024 Human Rights Celebrations organized by the Coalition of Civil Societies and Pro-Democracy Activists in Ogun State, Abeokuta, former Chairman of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Lagos State Branch, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, delivered a stirring address emphasizing the importance of authenticity and accountability among civil society organizations (CSOs).

Oladunjoye congratulated the Ogun State Civil Society Coalition for their efforts in commemorating International Human Rights Day, acknowledging the crucial role CSOs play in promoting good governance, environmental protection, law enforcement, climate change mitigation, women’s rights, and labour matters.

However, he also cautioned against the commercialization of activism, urging genuine activists to remain committed to their values and principles. “Human rights activism is not a profession, nor is it a license to blackmail people or spread unsubstantiated claims,” he emphasized.

Oladunjoye questioned the democratic practices within CSOs, calling for greater transparency, accountability, and financial responsibility. He urged activists to lead by example, publishing annual reports and audited financial statements, just as they demand from government officials.

The veteran activist also highlighted the importance of genuine engagement with the government and its representatives rather than opportunistic support or criticism. He drew inspiration from pioneering human rights defenders like Bekololari Ransome-Kuti, Gani Fawehinmi, and others who balanced activism with their professional pursuits.

In conclusion, Oladunjoye’s remarks served as a clarion call for authenticity and integrity within the CSO community, emphasizing that only by being true to themselves can activists effectively reduce inequality and advance human rights in society.

The full text of Oladunjoye’s remarks reads thus:

*ACTIVISTS BE TRUE TO YOURSELVES*

BEING THE REMARKS BY COMRADE TUNDE OLADUNJOYE AT THE 2024 HUMAN RIGHTS CELEBRATIONS ORGANISED BY A COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETIES AND PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS IN OGUN STATE IN ABEOKUTA ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024.

I want to congratulate the Chairman, executives and members of the Ogun State Civil Society Coalition for this year’s commemoration of the International Human Rights Day. I sincerely appreciate the Chairman and members of the Planning Committee for their courteous invitation to me to attend this event as a “guest of honour”.

I am of the firm belief that the civil society organisations must continue to play their roles in the society. It is in the interest of our community and society for the CSOs to be up and working and virile in their area of interests, either good governance, environment, law enforcement, climate change, women’s rights, Labour matters, and what have you.

I must use this opportunity to urge our CSO activists to be true to their callings by creating within the microcosm of each organisation what we desire and clamour for in the macro society and government.

Human rights activism is not a profession, nor is it a license to blackmail people in society or churn out unsubstantiated gibberish in a holier-than-thou posture that cannot stand the test of time, law, morality or logic.

How democratic are we in our various organizations? How accountable are we? Do we render annual reports? Do we have audited reports of our finances? Are we financially transparent? That probity we demand from government and public officials, do we apply it in our various organisations too?

How do we see the government and its agents/representatives? Good, when we have access and can obtain material benefits and bad when we no longer have access? Why are we so readily available to support and even organise protests in support of politically exposed persons facing corruption charges, including those who have shunned court orders, summons and appearances?

How do we relate with our comrades in government? Are they to be engaged or obtained? Or to be enviously derided because they are “making money and not sharing it with “comrades”? Are we honest with ourselves? How have we been able to manage the little largesse we get once in a while from unexpected quarters?

The issue of unemployment is indeed rife in our nation, but activism cannot be turned into a vocation. Activism never stopped Bekololari Ransome-Kuti from medical practice (except when detained by the military dictatorship). The same happened for Gani Fawehinmi, Owei Lakemfa, Baba Omojola, Alao Aka-Bashorun, Richard Akinnola, FemiFalana, Ayo Obe, Femi Aborishade, Osagie Obayuwana, Jiti Ogunye, Festus Iyayi, and many more. These aforementioned activists had/have jobs and callings they did not suppress for activism.

In those days in the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), we not only published annual reports, but we also published audited reports annually and our elections were regular, free and fair. I don’t know if the same applies to the CSOs of today.

This is in no way a generalization, but a call to order. We have activists who are truthful and very genuine. They should be role models to “professional activists”.

Strong, active and virile CSOs will immensely benefit society and not the “what’s-in-it” activists. We need to remove the logs in our eyes before talking about the specs in the eyes of other people including politicians. Activist, be true to yourself. Only this can reduce inequality and advance human rights in our society.

Thank you for your invitation and attention.

TUNDE OLADUNJOYE
*Former Chairman, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Lagos State Branch.
*Founding Coordinator, CDHR, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Unit, Ogba, Lagos.
*Former National Publicity Secretary, CDHR.