…As Over 300 Benefit From Clinic
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr. Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs, has emphasized that access to justice is vital for building inclusive societies in which the voices of vulnerable persons are heard and their rights to challenge discrimination or oppression, upheld and protected.
Speaking at a one day Free Law Clinic organized by the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation on Friday in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 20th Anniversary of the Foundation, Mrs. Lulu-Briggs said the law clinic was organized in conjunction with Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
She named other bodies in the partnership as the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation Law Grant Alumni, some legal experts as well as final year law students of the Rivers State University, adding that the objective was to help deepen the knowledge of law, human rights and the rule of law in society.
The Foundation’s boss regretted that a lot of persons suffered in silence on account of their lack of understanding and misconceptions of the law.
She expressed hope that this intervention will help to bridge existing gaps and ultimately lead to better access to justice for all in line with Goal 16 of the United Nations sustainable development goals which aim to promote just, peaceful and all-embracing societies.
Reeling out some facts about the Foundation which was Founded on September 21, 2001 by her humble self, Dr. Lulu-Briggs disclosed that the focus was premised to institutionalize, honour and celebrate the legendary philanthropy of her husband, High Chief (Dr.) O. B. Lulu-Briggs, OON, DCF, DSSRS (1930-2018).
She said the Foundation’s mission is to implement sustainable interventions that enhance the quality of lives of under-served persons.
Dr. (Mrs.) Lulu-Briggs further revealed that the Foundation has four programme areas which includes Care For Life (eldercare programme); Free Medical Mission; Education/ Scholarships; Access to Clean Water Sanitation, and Entrepreneurial/ Micro-credit Scheme.
She also disclosed that since 2005, through 34 Free Medical Missions it organized, the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation has provided high-quality health services, including surgeries to 132,591 men, women and children in rural and semi-urban Niger Delta communities
“Through its Access to Clean Water and Sanitation programme, the Foundation has taken potable water to 33 communities across the Niger Delta region. It has also built and donated toilet and sanitary facilities to enhance public health and wellbeing.
“So far, we have provided 10,450 households in 25 communities of the Niger Delta with access to potable water.
“In the last 20 years, through its interventions in the education sector, the foundation has empowered 1,316 persons with scholarships for formal education and training programs from Nursery to tertiary levels, including the Nigeria Law School. It has also provided funding to 30 teachers and trainers and built an Information Technology Centre for learning.
“On the 24th of October 2021, still as part of activities marking our 20th anniversary celebration, the Foundation organized a Free Eye Clinic for indigent members of the public which dispensed hundreds of eyes glasses and treatment for free”, she said, adding that the Free Law Clinic is the second in a series of year-long events lined up to mark the 20th anniversary celebration of the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation.
Also speaking, Mr. Nimi Walson-Jack, a lawyer and former Secretary-General of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) disclosed that the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation had a history with the legal profession, one of which was that the foundation puts every law student of Rivers State origin at the Nigerian Law school, on scholarship.
“With this foundation, not having money to go to the Law School is not an excuse. If you are from Rivers State and you are studying law, you get their scholarship and this has been going on for many years now.
“The foundation treats law, deservedly, as an instrument of social engineering. The law is used to fix the society, and the Foundation has recognized that we are grateful”, he said.
Walson-Jack, the Coordinator of the Free Law Clinic noted that what the Foundation and the numerous lawyers participating in the program had done was to give back to the society.
As he puts it, “We recognize that there are people in society who have problems that required just legal advice but they are not rich enough to consult a lawyer.
Some are just being afraid because they have never been to a lawyer’s office in all their lives. So, we offered them an opportunity to step forward a get legal advice free of charge”.
He said the clinic had the support of 92 lawyers and 30 final year students from the Faculty of Law at the Rivers State University (RIVSU), Port Harcourt and, as he declared, did a good job in delivering the project.
Walson-Jack disclosed that many persons who came for the free law clinic, came with diverse and complex problems, but noted that they all left satisfied.
“Free legal aid recognizes the fact that law brings about harmony to society. Contrary to what some people think, when they talk about the ‘full wrath of the law’. The law is not necessarily for punishment. The law brings about social cohesion and harmony.
“Now, if somebody is dissatisfied with a situation, and doesn’t know what the legal position is, such persons could take the law into their hands, and you have crimes, criminality and disorderliness in society.
“First, we give you advice that will help to settle you and your position so that you know where you stand with the law. Then we give you advice that is also a remedy”, he explained, noting that the essence is to ensure an orderly society where people are content with the situation.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to National Network expressed satisfaction with the quality of service rendered by the lawyers.
“I received great counselling on the issue of landlord, tenant relationship. By God’s grace, if I become a landlord tomorrow, I now know how to relate with my tenant. And as a tenant, I have learnt how to live my landlord and live peacefully”, said Mr. Austin Isokariari, one of the participants.
“If I am asked to rate them in percentages, I would rate them 95%. This also goes to show that we have very great lawyers in Rivers State and I must express heartfelt gratitude to O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation for this free services. God will bless her and provide more for her”, he prayed.
Another beneficiary of the program who gave his name simply as Emeka, expressed appreciation to the organizers for providing solution to a legal issue which he had contended with for a very long time.
He said he presented the problem to the lawyers who gave him a simple advice, adding with confidence that the advice given would solve the problem one and for all.
His words, “Ignorance is really a disease as we say. What you don’t know is bigger than you.
My problem had to do with my landlord and as I return from here, I will apply the advice given to me and I know I will now enjoy peace. Thanks to these lawyers and the Woman of God who organized this”, he enthused, referring to the Chairman of the Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr. (Mrs.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs.
