Citizen Journalists Network, Michael Edem-Duke, Dame Judith Amaechi, Chief Mike Ozekhome, others bag Awards at the Stakeholders Summit on Social Justice 2022.

Citizen Journalists Network (CJN), its Founder, Michael Edem-Duke, human rights lawyer and legal practitioner, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, Wife of the Minister for Transportation and former First Lady of Rivers State, Dame Judith Chibuike Amaechi, Vice Chancellor, Taraba State University, Prof. Tenebe and other distinguished Nigerians have been awarded for excellence at the just concluded Stakeholders Summit on Social Justice in Abuja.   The event organized by Drum Majors for Peace in collaboration with Earthspring International which held on February 17, 2022 at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Abuja in commemoration of the World Day of Social Justice, saw thought leaders, Civil Society Organizations, Government, Non-Profit Organizations, the Media, Law enforcement agencies, Traditional Rulers, Youth Representatives and other well-meaning participants discuss the issues of Social Justice with an Intentional Approach towards Nation Building.   Citizen Journalists Network (CJN) received the Social Justice Prize for Impacts in Media for Community Development as her President and Founder, Michael Edem-Duke also bagged the National Prize for Leadership in Media for Social Change at the event.   Speaking during his opening remarks, the Executive Director, Drum Majors for Peace, Mr. Nsikan Paul highlighted that the Summit was directly in line with the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with emphasis on Goal 16 targeting Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.   Presenting the Award of National Prize for Leadership in Media for Social Change and Certificate of Excellent Leadership to Michael Edem-Duke, Dame Judith Chibuike Amaechi commended the recipient and charged all awardees present for more grassroots impact.   Speaking extensively as a Panelist, the CJN Founder said “One of the greatest threats to Social Justice will be any form of sentimentalism in the advocacy for Social Justice itself. When you find people define social justice within the confines of their region, gender or ethnicity you find that while they may yet be advocating for legitimate demands, any unchecked approach that seeks to uphold one form of bias for a particular group above and beyond the right and privileges of other groups, can entirely damage the concept of Social Justice and in fact become a huge injustice to the entire cause especially as it concerns Nation Building. The CJN founder argued that for this reason, the call for Social Justice must be wholistic.   Other Panelists include, Amb. Austin Peacemaker, ECOWAS Peace Ambassador, Comrade Solomon Adodo, President, National Youth Council of Nigeria, High Chief Peter Ameh, National Secretary, Coalition of United Political Parties, Ini Ememobong, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Akwa Ibom State, Amina Danjuma of Foundation for Resilient Empowerment and Development, David Agu Esq. Partner, Ojoge, Omileye and Partners, and Dr. Henry Debem, President/Founder, the G-Role Africa.   Presenting the Social Justice Prize for Impacts in Media for Community Development and Certificate of Excellence to Citizen Journalists Network, High Chief Peter Ameh encouraged the young organization to take advantage of its youthfulness in driving deep-rooted, innovative and sustainable impacts.   The Summit was attended by dignitaries from varied sectors including, The High Commissioner/Ambassador of Nigeria to Jamaica, Belize, Dominica Republic and Haiti, Her Excellency, Dr. Maureen P. Tamuno, The Honorable Commissioner, Federal Character Commission, representing Akwa Ibom State, Obongawan Dorah Ebong, The President, Global Peace Foundation, Rev. Joseph Hayab and others.