The chairman of Azama community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Oritsejolor Mark, has commended the Gbaramatu Oloutolumo-Abu Gbolei (Gbaramatu Lawyers Association) for the enlightenment campaign embarked upon by the professional body of lawyers towards sensitizing natives of the Ijaw kingdom on matters relating to legal aid.

Mr. Oritsejolor, representative of the community at the programme, also appealed and urged the body of Gbaramatu lawyers to sustain the tempo in their task of enlightening the people of the riverine areas by occasionally organizing such programme.

The Gbaramatu Lawyers Association, led by its president, Friday Emotimide Esq., had held the maiden Legal Discuss and Enlightenment Programme with theme, 'Access to Legal Aid in Nigeria: A Case for Indigent Persons in Gbaramatu Kingdom' at the headquarters of the kingdom, Oporoza, on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

The programme, which was aimed at bridging the gap of access to legal information and legal aid in Nigeria by natives of Gbaramatu Kingdom cited the lack of legal infrastructure and location of communities in the creeks, lack of awareness and absence of proper legal education, refusal to pursue legal services due to religious reasons, fear of victimization among others, as reasons for the challenges facing the people in getting legal aid. 

Reacting to the development on Friday in a chat with PENGlobal Community, Mr. Oritsejolor said that the programme, which witnessed a low turnout, was very insightful and that with continuously embarking on the initiative more interests will be aroused.

"The overview of the program is a serious enlightenment, especially to the people of the kingdom. Before now, some persons know, but many do not know how to go about some legal issues when they have some certain challenges. To some, they don't even have the knowledge that something like Legal Aid is in existence in Nigeria.

"So many things were unveiled, even on conflicts, tenant and landlord issues. The lawyers addressed those issues; that if any issue arises, we are to consult the Gbaramatu lawyers to help us as Gbaramatuans. So at any point in time, as far as you are Gbaramatu, when you call on them they will respond speedily at any point in time. And I think this program is a serious enlightenment. I love it," he added.

Speaking further he said, "This enlightenment is an educational initiative. Some persons may not value it now. Maybe they might think that they will not benefit anything tangible from it. But we are talking about intangibility, where you can have knowledge which is not only power but it attracts wealth too.

"A lot of contributions were also made. And for me, let it not end with only this enlightenment. Maybe as time goes on, one year, two years, they should replicate it so that persons that did not attend this programme would be able to gain some knowledge at other ones."

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