Write For Rights International Amnesty Holds School Tour In OAU

It was a mind awakening event as ‘Write For Rights Amnesty International’ in collaboration with National Association of Students of English and Literary Students (NASELS) held a school tour #W4R in Obafemi Awolowo University at Auditorium ll on the 14th of November, 2023 with the theme: ‘Promoting Human Rights through Literature’.

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The programme had an orientation and Activism session. Abiyem Anokura John, one of the tourists, took a few moments to inform the attendees that the event was organized to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which began on November 10th, 1948. He also highlighted the significant role played by Amnesty International in providing humanitarian services across different countries and nations of the world.

He used  the opportunity to advocate for personalities who are currently passing through fundamental human right violation by sharing their ordeal stories on canvas and video clips. He further urged all attendees to contribute to the advocacy by signing and dropping heartfelt messages on the individual canvas and via the amnesty social media handles.

Furthermore, an interactive session tagged: ‘You get to Talk!’. In this session, Amidat, who anchored she urged the attendees, after various experience of ‘fighting for people’ was shared, to always thrive in standing for their neighbours, friends, family’s Rights whenever they realized they are being violated or abused. 

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The programme reached its peak when the panel session on the theme of the tour was held. The Panelists; Taofeek Ogunperi (TAO), Praise Olúwaṣeun (Hizpraise) , Itiola Oluwatosin Esther and Taiwo Lawal Fatimo, able to reiterate and make known the importance of Literature as a tool in promoting and fighting for human rights. 

Taofeek Ogunperi spoke specifically on the need for people to make use of ‘narratives’ to help less privileged, distressed, abused, and many other people facing casualties around them in lieu of making their narratives to merely serve as journalistic purpose. In his word, ‘Do not write your narratives for mere journalistic purpose but write for humanitarian purpose’.

Also, Taiwo Lawal Fatima, also laid emphasis on the need to venture into reading literature books as it will get writers to be exposed to cultures, Human rights and different experiences of life. She added, ‘Find flair and passion in reading books because in those books live secrets to your rights’.

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The panelists also tried to unveil some difficulties writers could encounter. Those difficulties include, not being heard, external threat and bullying. The event was graced with stage performances, which include poetry and music performances.

Munirudeen Abdullahi, a 200Level student of English department while speaking with ACJOAU correspondent said that the programme really served its purpose as he got to know that being a writer can earn him the chance to work right from  home and fight for people’s rights. He said ‘I earlier thought I could only serve as an activist or fight for people’s rights on Television, Radio or Newspaper not knowing that I can certainly write at the comfort of my home to fight for people’s rights.’ He further stated that he got more motivated to advocate for people around just like he has been doing.

Also, Praise Olúwaṣeun (Hizpraise), a 300L English department students, one of the panelists, while speaking with ACJOAU correspondent gave commendation to the members of ‘Write for Rights Amnesty International’ for the great awareness the tour successfully created among students. He also laid emphasis on great impact movies, music, novels, and poems have in fighting for human rights compared to the mere news on TV, Radio , newspaper, and journals.