Group Urges Dele Momodu, Davido Others to Protect Imade from Media Warfare

Group Urges Dele Momodu, Davido Others to Protect Imade from Media Warfare

Sunday Okobi  

Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA) has observed with disappointment the media battle between singer, Davido, and columnist, Dele Momodu, over a Davido’s child (Imade) custody disagreement involving him and his erstwhile companion, Ms Sophie, cousin to Momodu.

The right group added that the reason for its strategic intervention is to call on all the parties to sheath the sword and use constructive and private means to find lasting solution to the issue as well as respect the fundamental human rights of the little baby.

It noted that these adults who ought to safeguard and protect Imade’s human rights to human dignity and privacy enshrined in the constitution are now using her as a punching bag.

According to HURIWA in a statement, “Specifically sections 34 and 37 are unambiguous regarding these sets of rights which the baby is entitled to as a human being. Section 34 (1) provides that ‘every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly…No person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.

“No person shall be held in slavery or servitude; and no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour. 

“The legal reason backing the child is enshrined in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (DRC) built upon rights that had been set forth in a League of Nations Declaration of 1924.

“We specifically call upon voluntary organisations and local authorities to always strive for the observance of children's rights. One of the key principles in the DRC is that a child is to enjoy special protection as well as opportunities and facilities including Imade.”

The group noted that children should be protected against all forms of economic exploitation, torture, maltreatment and abuse.

“We therefore plead with the the Ooni of Ife to please intervene and use his wisdom to settle this matter out of the views and prying eyes of the media.

“Other legal means can also be used provided this baby isn't unduly denigrated and her rights wantonly abused by the trio. NAPTIP is very slow to respond to the need to save the best interest of this baby in line with the Child Rights Act of 2003.

“Media houses should safeguard the privacy of the child by refusing to publish the toddler's photograph. Would any editor be happy if the privacy of his child or his/her medical records splashed on page one of national daily?” HURIWA asked.