Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiative

18/12/2025

Our Executive Director, Ms. Enwelum Ogechukwu participated in the orientation and training for members of the Legal Hub for Victims of Trafficking and Related Crimes, where she serves as the Secretary of the Enugu State Legal Hub.

The training was supported by the Foundation for the Internationalisation of Public Administration (FIAP) under Component 3 – Support to Migration Governance in Nigeria, a Spanish Government–supported initiative implemented in collaboration with the European Union (EU), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

This engagement aligns strongly with DEDASRI’s mandate to promote human rights protection, access to justice, rule of law, and the prevention of human trafficking, abuse, and labour exploitation, particularly for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

As an active member of NACTAL, the umbrella network of CSOs working to combat human trafficking in Nigeria, Ms. Enwelum Ogechukwu also contributes in her capacity as National Legal Adviser, reinforcing coordinated civil society responses and survivor-centred legal interventions.

DEDASRI remains committed to advocating for victims of human rights violations, strengthening legal support systems, and partnering with key stakeholders to ensure justice, accountability, and dignity for survivors.

Together, we continue to build systems that protect the vulnerable and leave no one behind.

04/12/2025

✨ DEDASRI at the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu! ✨
As part of the 2025 16 Days of Activism, we joined NACTAL Enugu and NCFRMI South East to engage over 1,000 students on staying safe in today’s digital world.

Our conversations focused on:
💡 Online safety & responsible digital behavior
🛡️ Preventing digital violence, grooming & exploitation
📣 Knowing how to speak out and report abuse

This outreach aligns with DEDASRI’s mandate to protect children, strengthen communities, and promote safe digital spaces for all.
The students were energetic, insightful, and eager to learn — a powerful reminder that awareness truly saves lives.

Together, we UNITE TO END DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST ALL WOMEN AND CHILDREN. 🧡

27/11/2025

We commend the swift and coordinated action of the Enugu State authorities in stopping the attempted child marriage and rescuing the minor involved.

Child marriage is a grave human rights violation that steals children—especially girls—of their education, safety, dignity, and future opportunities.

DEDASRI reaffirms its ZERO-tolerance stance against every form of exploitation and harmful practice affecting children.

Together, we must continue to protect every child and uphold their right to a safe and meaningful childhood.

https://x.com/DEDASRIAfrica/status/1994069011722850558?t=702NX2iTJOtb3KTEcLlceA&s=09

13/11/2025

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

The Human Rights Agenda Network Strongly Condemn the Persistent Attacks on Journalists and the Unlawful Detention of Friday Alefia.

We express deep concern and unequivocal condemnation over the consistent attacks, harassment and intimidation of journalists in Nigeria. The recent case of Mr. Friday Alefia, a Nigerian journalist detained for over six weeks without trial, represents yet another troubling example of the shrinking civic space and the rising threats against press freedom in our country.

Mr. Alefia, publisher of Naija News Today, was arrested in Lagos on 23 September 2025 and transferred to Abuja. Despite repeated appeals by his family and legal representatives, he was held at a detention facility linked to the now defunct SARS unit, an act that violates constitutional guarantees to personal liberty, fair hearing and due process.

Throughout his prolonged detention, Mr. Alefia reportedly suffered deteriorating health, requiring hospitalisation twice at the expense of his family. His continued detention, allegedly influenced by political pressure following his critical reporting on a sitting lawmaker, raises serious questions about the misuse of state power to silence dissent and punish legitimate journalistic work.

We recall the recent Nigerian Editors’ Conference, attended by the President, seen as a commitment to press freedom. This must be matched with action. We urge the Presidency and authorities to ensure the safety, dignity, and independence of journalists, whose lives and liberty must never be jeopardised for performing their constitutional duty.

While we maintain that every allegation should be tested before a competent court, no journalist should ever be subjected to arbitrary detention, intimidation or political persecution for doing their job. Journalists are not enemies of the state, they are partners in democracy, serving the public by exposing wrongdoing, promoting accountability and amplifying the voices of citizens.

The charges levied against Mr Alefia under the Cybercrimes Act should be addressed through a fair, transparent and timely judicial process, not through detention without trial. Laws must never be weaponised to stifle free expression or criminalise journalism.

We therefore call on the Nigerian Police Force and all relevant authorities to:
Uphold the rule of law and ensure Mr Alefia’s arraignment complies strictly with constitutional safeguards.

Respect press freedom, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights instruments.

End all forms of harassment, intimidation and unlawful detention of journalists across the country.

Protect journalists who report on issues of public interest, even when such reports are uncomfortable for those in positions of authority.

Nigeria cannot build a strong democracy while silencing the very individuals who hold power accountable. A free, safe and vibrant press is not optional, it is essential.

We stand firmly with all journalists who continue to work under increasingly hostile conditions, and we call for immediate safeguards to protect their rights, safety and dignity.

Endorsed:

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐎𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐰𝐮 𝐒𝐀𝐍 Chair, Steering Committee
Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN)
𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐍𝐠𝐨𝐳𝐢 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐎𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐞-𝐀𝐤𝐚𝐧
Beautiful Eves of Africa Organisation (BEAFRO)
𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐎𝐠𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐤𝐰𝐮 𝐄𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐦
Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiative (DEDASRI)
𝐌𝐚𝐳𝐢 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐔𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐮
Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) Nigeria
𝐌𝐨𝐣𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐎𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚
DigiCivic Initiative

15/10/2025

🌍 GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY 2025 🧼
Theme: Be a Handwashing Hero!

Today, DEDASRI proudly joins NEWSAN Enugu Chapter and partners across the world to commemorate Global Handwashing Day 2025.

Clean hands save lives, and every one of us has a role to play! 💧
Let’s champion hand hygiene in our homes, schools, and communities. By being handwashing heroes, we protect ourselves and others from preventable diseases and promote healthier, thriving communities.

Together, let’s keep spreading the message:
👉🏽 Your Hands, Your Health — Be a Hero! 💪🏽

06/10/2025

🌍 DEDASRI Celebrates this win in Women’s Leadership !

💪 Namibia Leads the Way!
Namibia has achieved what many nations still aspire to becoming the first African country and 8th globally where women hold the majority of cabinet positions, closing an outstanding 81.1% of its gender gap (2025 WEF Global Gender Gap Report)👏✨

For the first time in Africa, both the President (Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah) and Vice President (Lucia Witbooi) are women. Women now make up 57% of Namibia’s Cabinet and hold 38.5% of parliamentary seats in the National Assembly.

This is not just a win for Namibia, it’s a win for every African woman with dreams of leadership. 💫
When women lead, nations thrive. 🌱

At Divine Era Development & Social Rights Initiative (DEDASRI), we believe in a world where women have equal opportunities to lead, decide, and shape their communities.

Namibia’s progress is a call to action for all African nations, let’s keep championing policies and spaces that empower women’s voices in governance and leadership. 💖

Together, we rise. Together, we lead! 🌸

01/10/2025

DEDASRI Independence Day Statement – Nigeria at 65

At 65, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. Our nation has endured decades of resilience and struggle, yet the promises of democracy, justice, and sustainable development remain unfulfilled for millions of citizens.

From the lens of our five thematic pillars, the story is clear:

Good Governance: Policies often fall short of transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. According to Transparency International (2024), Nigeria ranks 145/180 on the Corruption Perceptions Index, reflecting weak institutions and deep mistrust in governance.

Human Rights and Justice: Rights violations, inequities, and delayed access to justice continue to undermine the dignity and freedom of citizens. Amnesty International reports increasing clampdowns on civic space, while court delays deny justice to thousands.

Environmental and Climate Sustainability: Communities face worsening floods, desertification, and pollution. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet, 2024) and UNEP reports warn that climate inaction is worsening food insecurity and displacements.

Security and Peacebuilding: Insecurity has become a national nightmare. Over 5,000 Nigerians were reportedly killed due to banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes in 2023 (Global Conflict Tracker). Without justice and fairness, the cycle of violence persists despite huge defense budgets.

Human Development: Poverty remains pervasive. According to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS, 2023), over 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. Weak education and healthcare systems continue to stall progress.

A Call to Action: Building a Just and Sustainable Nigeria

At this 65th Independence anniversary, DEDASRI calls for a renewed national commitment anchored on:

Strengthening institutions for transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.

Ensuring justice and human rights protection for every Nigerian, irrespective of class, creed, or status.

Prioritizing environmental sustainability and climate action as central to national planning.

Pursuing peace through dialogue, equity, and justice, not merely through force.

Investing in people—education, health, jobs, and social safety nets—as the true drivers of national transformation.

Nigeria must not only celebrate survival but also demand rebirth. At 65, we must rise above rhetoric and build a nation where governance works, justice is real, the environment is preserved, peace is secure, and human dignity is upheld.

DEDASRI reaffirms its commitment to advocate, mobilize, and act for this vision of a just, inclusive, and sustainable Nigeria.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

25/07/2025

People forced to flee conflict often fall prey to false promises of safety and better lives.

Targeted law enforcement and cross-border intelligence sharing along migration routes can prevent human trafficking.

25/07/2025

31/03/2025

25/03/2025

We see the future - A Just and Equitable Society where Sustainable Development thrives!

25/03/2025

We have a big VISION!

A Just and Equitable Society where Sustainable Development thrives!