Organised by the Public Advice Centre (PAC) of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the enlightenment programme took off last Thursday in Epe Local Government area of the state with staff of PAC engaging in a road show round streets of the ancient town and markets. According to PAC’s Director, Mrs. Margaret Asuma, the Lagos State Government created the initiative to provide its citizens easy access to information and advice on a wide range of issues. Addressing the people in Oluwo and Aiyetoro markets in Epe, Asuma said PAC was created in 2008 under the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to serve as the first port of call for citizens in distress and those seeking information and advice on their rights and responsibilities. Asuma said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode desires peace, progressive and development for the citizens of the state, adding that PAC serves as an interface to provide information and legal advice to members of the public, dealing with agencies of government, organised private sector, Human Rights Desk, State Welfare departments and other justice sector institutions. The director explained that despite the robust services offered by the initiative Lagosians are still not fully aware of how to enforce their rights and the governor does not want a situation where a Lagosian will be cheated and does not know how to go about fighting for his or her rights and get succor for misdeeds meted on them. She told the people that PAC will not only attend to human rights issues but all complaints brought before the centre and advice them on the government agency that will take up and prosecute their complaints free of charge. Asuma also encouraged the people to bring cases of rape and child defilement, wife battering, child abuse to the attention of government and to desist from sweeping such under the carpet, promising that official intervention will give them peace of mind in their families. According to her, PAC can also be of free assistance to the people in areas like environmental and other related matters; relationships-legal rights and responsibilities; work benefits and pensions; employer and employee matters; social welfare and child rights; family and inheritance; land title registration and ancillary matters; domestic violence and sexual offences; social exclusion and discrimination; debt and monetary claims. By: Akinwale Akintunde This day News]]>