The Justice, Development and Peace Initiative (JDPI), Ekiti Catholic Diocese, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting human rights, access to justice and effective implementation of the rule of law in Ekiti State.
The organisation made the commitment in Ado-Ekiti during the launch of its new project, “Promotion of Human Rights in Ekiti Diocese,” which will run from 2026 to 2029 with support from its development partner, Misereor of Germany.
Speaking at the event, the Director of JDPI, Ekiti Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade, said the project would promote a culture of respect for human rights, improve access to justice and strengthen accountability in governance across the state.
According to him, JDPI would use community-based interventions, counselling, mediation, legal support and advocacy to address human rights violations and promote peaceful coexistence.
JDPI targets domestic violence, child abuse cases
Akingbade said the organisation would focus significantly on protecting women and children from violence and abuse.
He disclosed that JDPI plans to receive, handle and resolve at least 60 new cases of gender-based violence and child abuse through counselling, mediation and court action where necessary.
He added that the organisation would establish a family toll-free helpline to enable victims of abuse to access free, confidential and safe support.
JDPI will also produce and distribute Family Harmony Toolkits and organise community workshops for parents across the three senatorial districts of Ekiti State.
The project will further train Human Rights Advocates across the 16 Local Government Areas to serve as first-line responders to human rights violations in their communities.
Akingbade said the organisation also plans to train 100 church marriage instructors, traditional rulers and religious leaders to provide better guidance and support to couples and families.
100 indigent persons, awaiting trial inmates to get free legal aid
The JDPI director stressed that access to justice should not be determined by a person’s financial status.
He said the organisation would provide completely free legal representation to 50 Awaiting Trial Persons (ATPs) and 50 indigent persons in communities across Ekiti State.
JDPI also plans to resolve at least 50 non-gender-based violence disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which offers parties an opportunity to settle disputes outside the conventional court process.
Akingbade said the project would also promote accountable governance by strengthening communication between citizens and political leaders.
According to him, JDPI would gather the needs of grassroots communities across the 16 LGAs and present them to the governor and members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly as a Citizens’ Agenda.
He added that, in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the organisation would publish at least three major public scorecard reports assessing government service delivery and constituency projects.
JDPI seeks support from traditional rulers, police, judiciary, media
Akingbade called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to use their influence to promote peaceful homes and discourage the culture of concealing domestic violence.
He also appealed to officers of the judiciary, police and correctional services to treat citizens with dignity, speed up trials, prevent illegal detention and ensure equal access to justice.
The media, he said, has an important role to play in amplifying the voices of survivors, reporting human rights violations and highlighting positive developments in communities.
He equally urged parents and spouses to promote patience, communication and mutual respect in their homes, while calling on young people and students to reject violence and participate actively in human rights initiatives.
Previous JDPI project recorded major achievements
Speaking on the achievements of the organisation’s previous project, the Head of Human Rights Department, Ekiti JDPI, Anthony-Kay Adeusi, said the programme, which ran from 2023 to 2026, recorded significant successes.
Adeusi disclosed that JDPI, in collaboration with its development partners, provided free legal services to 125 awaiting trial inmates during the period.
He also said more than 1,000 human rights ambassadors were registered in secondary schools across Ekiti State to promote awareness and encourage young people to defend human rights.
According to him, the organisation had targeted 747 students for active participation in campaigns against violence against women and children but exceeded the target by directly engaging 863 students by March 2026.
He added that more than 1,000 students had eventually been brought into the human rights campaign across secondary schools in the state.
Adeusi said the previous project also focused on improving access to justice for indigent persons and awaiting trial persons, noting that poverty should not prevent citizens from obtaining justice.
He said JDPI further expanded the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution to provide a free, accessible and restorative approach to resolving disputes.
Stakeholders pledge support
Stakeholders at the programme commended JDPI for its efforts to protect the rights of vulnerable and less privileged citizens in Ekiti State.
Those who spoke included the Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti Council of Elders, Dr. Adebayo Oriire; Adelusi Ilesanmi of the Ministry of Justice; and the leader of market women in Ekiti State, Mrs. Waye Oso.
They pledged their support and commitment to working with JDPI to promote human rights, strengthen the rule of law and improve access to justice across the state.
The new JDPI project is expected to strengthen community participation in human rights protection while promoting peaceful families, access to justice and greater accountability in governance across Ekiti State.
