Political leaders, academics, others converge on Abuja for HURIWA’s Rights Day Roundtable Dialogue

[Press Release] As the international community prepares to commemorate the World Human Rights Day on December 10th 2025, significant political leaders and constitutional scholars will be brainstorming on the thematic areas of human security and politics in Abuja at a round table dialogue on Human Rights by the civil rights advocacy group HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA).

Among the over one dozen political players in Nigeria that confirmed their availability to speak at the event is Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko who was governor of Sokoto state between 2007 and 2015 and has been elected twice as Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, says the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko in a statement issued to journalists.

HURIWA affirmed that the University of Pittsburg educated former governor and current ranking Senator of the Federal Republic Senator Wamakko will speak on the theme of human rights and selfless services in politics just as he is expected to inform Nigerians about some of the initiatives and projects that he has put in place to advance the human rights of the good people of Sokoto state and Nigeria in its entirety.

Writing about Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, a stalwart of Nigerian politics and a dedicated public servant, a local council chairman in Sokoto state Alhaji Isa Salihu Bashir Kalanjeni asserted that Senator Wamakko
has been honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by The Sun Newspaper.

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This accolade is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the people of Sokoto State and his remarkable contributions to the nation over the years.

Senator Wamakko’s journey in public service is marked by a series of transformative initiatives that have significantly improved the lives of countless citizens. As a former governor of Sokoto State and now a distinguished senator, he has consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of the needs of his constituents and a relentless drive to address them.

His leadership style, characterized by empathy and vision, has earned him the respect and admiration of many, both within and beyond the borders of Sokoto.

Wamakko’s tenure as governor from 2011 to 2015 was a period of unprecedented development for Sokoto State. Under his administration, critical infrastructure projects were launched, including the construction of roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, which laid the foundation for sustainable growth.

His commitment to education was particularly noteworthy, as he prioritized the renovation of schools and the provision of scholarships, ensuring that the youth of Sokoto had access to quality education and opportunities for advancement.

Senator Wamakko’s impact extends beyond infrastructure; he has been a champion for agricultural development, recognizing its vital role in enhancing food security and boosting the local economy. His initiatives to support farmers with modern equipment, fertilizers, and training have empowered many to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the state’s agricultural output.

The senator’s dedication to public service is further exemplified by his efforts in promoting peace and security in the region.

He has been an advocate for community engagement and collaboration with security agencies to address the challenges facing Sokoto State, particularly in the areas bordering Zamfara.

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His proactive approach has fostered a sense of safety and stability, allowing for economic activities to thrive.

HURIWA listed the former Federal Attorney-General and minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria as another lead speaker who has confirmed his availability just as the author of two books: Burden of Service: Reminiscence of Nigeria’s former Attorney General and OPL 245, is expected to read to the audiences from one of his two recently published books.

HURIWA recalled that the famous television Anchor and former Chairman Editorial board of The Guardian of Nigeria Dr Reuben Abati who wrote recently about the books by Adoke, had stated that OPL 245 is probably the most well-known oil block to be awarded by the Nigerian government more for the legal disputes and international arbitrations, with regard to its acquisition and ownership involving the Federal Government of Nigeria, Shell and Malabu Oil as well as a large cast of actors across courts in Nigeria, United States, United Kingdom and. Italy. Whereas OPL 245, a versatile, deep water offshore asset off the Niger Delta was one of other similar licenses awarded to encourage indigenous participation in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, it is caught in a complex web of scandals, allegations of corruption, bribery, and so much melodrama in and out of the courtrooms.

In an earlier book titled Burden of Service, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, had written among other things, on this controversial Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL), or what is also known as “Malabugate”; in the present book, a sequel to his first book, he focusses on the OPL 245 in an extensive and comprehensive account of the allegations about his role, the burden that he has had to endure in terms of what he calls “clinical persecution” (p. 149), or “the lies and lies and more lies” (p. 153) that were told against him, and his eventual vindication.

Adoke’s OPL 245, is by his own admission, “therapeutic”, a book that needed to be written, to set the records straight, for posterity and to clear his name through a documentation of facts and circumstances. Adoke was Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, April 2010 – June 2015.

At the time the OPL 245 saga began in 2003, he was not yet in government, nor was he either when the block was revoked by the Obasanjo government on July 2, 2001, or when a Settlement Agreement was signed in 2006. But when he was appointed AGF/Minister of Justice in 2010, OPL 245 became one of the matters he inherited as Attorney General (p. 23). It was during this period that the Jonathan administration confirmed the award of OPL 245 to Malabu, This author is very clear in stating that the politicisation of OPL 245 was caused by former President Olusegun Obasanjo “who woke up one morning and set OPL 245 on fire” )…he revoked the block without giving any reasons..(p.21), resulting in a series of litigations involving NNPC, Malabu and Shell. which stalled the development of the asset.

One of Adoke’s first assignments as AGF/Minister of Justice was to help unpack the logjam, and he had advised that the 2006 Settlement Agreement was binding on the Federal Government.

In the Resolution Agreement that was arrived at in April 2011, Shell and Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd. (NAE) would pay $1.3 billion into an escrow account with J. P. Morgan in London, while Malabu would receive $1.092 billion as compensation as “full and final settlement.”

As the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, Adoke was convinced that he had given the government proper advice in the circumstances.

This book is about the twists and turns that he would have to deal with later. The exact nature of the burden of service that he has spoken about is laid bare in this book.

*COMRADE EMMANUEL NNADOZIE ONWUBIKO,
NATIONAL COORDINATOR,
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA). WEDNESDAY 26TH, NOVEMBER 2025.