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The Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice (CRJ) has been engaging in programmes and activities that impact the lives of the people.
Sometimes in 1997 during the military era, there was much debate on the minimum wage in Nigeria. Amid a tense environment, the CRJ, (former CRS) successfully organized a Public Lecture at Ikeja Airport Hotel on the theme: The Effects of Wages on Productivity and Corruption In the Society: A Challenge to Leadership, under the distinguished chairmanship of Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State. The Guest Speaker, Professor J. F. Akingbade, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration of the University of Lagos used the terms ” Starvation Wages” and “Living Wages” in his lecture on the theme. The terms afterward become popular in the media. Some writers in the national newspapers published different series on the lecture for about two weeks.
The public lecture was believed to have contributed to the factors that influenced the government’s decision to increase the minimum wage at that time.
Again, Mr. Chinedu was a student at one of the State Universities and was doing well academically. Some so called friends invited him to join their group which he later suspected to be cultists’ group. He refused to join them. That refusal brought him into conflict with the students and one of his lecturer, who threatened him that he cannot pass his course nor graduate from the University.
He heard about the CRJ and joined the Association. After he received training and support from the CRJ, he continued his study with greater wisdom and courage to face the challenge. At a point, he sent a petition to the Senate of the Institution as he was counselled. Regardless of the persecution he suffered for his righteous stand, at last, God gave him victory and he finally graduated with distinction and joy.
He later became a good ambassador of the CRJ after his graduation.
On another occasion, many residents of Ago-Okota in Lagos State, for a long time, suffered much extortion at the hands of the greedy staff of former NEPA. They made residents buy Electricity poles, Feeder Pillars, and Cables and contribute to repairing or buying Transformers for their communities. Some residents brought the matter to the attention of the Association. The CRJ organized a community Enlightenment programme and deliberately invited the General Manager of NEPA at Ikeja to the programme to address the issue. Fortunately, the General Manager came with the District Managers in charge of the Okota, Ikotun, and Oshodi Business Areas.
At a point in the programme, the Secretary of each of the affected street associations presented their case. Some of them tendered the record of contributions for the purchase of transformers. The General Manager then enlightened the people on the role of NEPA and their expectations from the consumers. He stated categorically that the residents are not expected to contribute to purchasing a transformer. That any staff requesting them to contribute will only be deceiving them. He advised them to return the money collected to the contributors. He promised they will have the needed transformers.
He then requested the number of transformers needed in the areas, which was about eight. He instructed the District Manager to request for them. Joyfully, within some weeks, all the required transformers were supplied and installed. Through the impact of that programme, many residents and some leaders of the Okota Family became aware of the existence of the Association in the Comminity.
CRJ successfully defended the right of a company staff who was wrongfully dismissed. Mrs. Okon, a staff of a Computer Company in Lagos was wrongly dismissed by her employer without any payment of her entitlements. In June 2000 she wrote a petition to the Organization on the matter.. The matter was taken up with the Company by our Legal Aid Team. After much futile arguments, the Managing Director of the Company eventually apologized to her and paid her due entitlements.
There was the case of Mr. Joseph who bought a landed property in Lagos, fenced it round and put an iron gate. He got there one day and met another padlock on his gate. One powerful traditional Ruler has claimed ownership of the land and left a message on the wall of his fence that the land belongs to the Royal Family. He wrote a petition to the Organization and asked for assistance. After the intervention of the Organization, reporting the matter to the State Governor and the Commissioner of Police, the Oba apologized and released his land to him.
Justice was also obtained for a man wrongly remanded in prison custody. Mr. Anthony, the brother of Mrs. Lydia returned to Onitsha from America after a long stay for the burial of their late father. Some family members viewed his return as a threat because of the sharing of their late father’s property. Immediately after the funeral ceremony, he was arrested on false accusation. He was remanded in the prison custody for about two years, helplessly waiting for another hearing date in court. Mrs. Lydia heard of this Organization and wrote for assistance with some other members of the family. We made our investigation and the matter was taking up with the Attorney General and the Chief Judge of Anambra State. To the glory of God, Mr Anthony was brought to court and was eventually released, without a cost to Mrs. Lydia and her family. Our Legal Aid Team did the work Pro Bono.
CRJ worked with others for the construction of Ago Palace Way, Lagos. At a time when Ago Palace Way was not motorable and many residents were forced to relocate to other areas in Lagos. The CRJ took positive actions that have impact on the lives of the people. Appeal letters were written to the State government with many follow up visits. The Daily Sun Newspaper was engaged many times to make publications with pictures depicting the actual deplorable condition of the road.
The efforts started to yield the desired results when a Director from the Ministry of Works at Alausa, Ikeja phoned the Coordinator of Okota -Isolo Chapter of the CRJ, Mr. Daniel Adegoke (real name). The Director said he was acting on the directive of the Commisioner to plead with the CRJ not to do Newspaper publication anymore because they want to do something about the road.
A meeting was arranged at Latunde Street Junction, popularly known that time as “End of Tarred Road”.
The Director and some Ministry Officials came at the appointed time and met with the CRJ Coordinator and some other Officers of the Association.
The Director expressed their concern about the need to first build drainages before building the road, but they are concerned about where to channel the water. Mr. Adegoke told him about the two canals on the right and the left of the road. The Director requested to be shown the locations. He saw the two canals and expressed satisfaction for the result of the meeting. The Director left with the assurance that the work on the construction of Ago Palace Way will start soon. The rest is history.
CRJ had in the past through the ‘Upright Magazine publications intervened and rescued lockup shop owners from the cruel extortion of the then Oshodi-Isolo LGA field staff. The local government Council staff were collecting above the stipulated lockup shops charges by the state government.
These are a few examples of what we do to promote righteousness and justice in our society and to fight corruption, wickedness and injustice in our society and to help others in need.
There is need for more committed Volunteers, Dedicated Anti- Corruption Champion’s, for greater achievement of the laudable Aims and Objectives of the Association. The Volunteers are to work together through various Commissions established to allow every member to be involved in our activities according to their talents, skills, professions, and abilities.
5A Godwin Omonua Street, Ire – Akari, Isolo, Lagos State.
0802 3326 101
07063371043 – National President
0803 0808 626
0817 4582 143 (WhatsApp Only)
0817 4582 148 – National Secretary