By Frank Tietie
From 2016 to 2021, I mobilised ordinary citizens of Nigeria to gather on every December 10th to celebrate International Human Rights Day by organising the Human Rights Fiesta under the auspices of the Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), an NGO I founded in 2014.
The Human Rights Fiesta was an instant success because it filled a void in the Nigerian civic space. Its goal was to raise human rights consciousness nationwide through music, dance, poetry, and comedy. It was an event entirely owned and fully funded by Nigerians.
The concept was straightforward. During those times, I sourced high-quality T-shirts from China, requested designs promoting humanity, printed them at a highly negotiated cost, and gave them out free of charge, asking for donations in return. Only about a quarter of the recipients of the T-shirts donated, with the shortfall covered by Amnesty International under Osai Ojigho’s leadership, the Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD) under Idayat Hassan, and with much support from Shamsudeen Usman and Austin Aigbe, who flooded the event with CDD’s ICE materials. Later, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also provided significant support.
However, one individual, Toyin Dawodu, a Nigerian-American from California, stood out in his support for the Fiesta. He saw it as a means to reach out and improve conditions in Nigeria, funding a considerable part of the event and supporting many other causes initiated by CASER. Senator Dino Melaye proved a dependable ally during those years. He sponsored the performances of Ras Kimono (of blessed memory) and Orits Wiliki at the inaugural edition, and attended on two occasions as a serving Senator, delivering highly inspiring speeches.
The Nigerian media was very supportive. Starting with Love 104.5 FM, which aired the Omnibus Human Rights Show I presented every weekday, including Greetings FM with another of my radio programmes, Legal Matters Nigeria; Obiora Ilo and Mamode Akugha of the renowned O & M Show on Africa Independent Television (AIT), which featured me regularly; and the fantastic producers across most radio stations in Abuja, especially at Radio Nigeria, thebradio station which gave me the most significant exposure in my human rights advocacy efforts. The event also recently gained tremendous visibility on Arise News, the most authentic television network broadcasting from Africa to the world.
The success of the Human Rights Fiesta came at a great personal and family cost. I saw its potential to become one of Nigeria’s annual flagship events but had to change tactics because I needed to focus on practising law responsibly. Few young people understood not-for-profit work as I did, and few were willing to undertake such sacrifices with the same irresistible passion as I had. Therefore, in 2022, I decided it was time to relinquish my role and entered into an agreement with the NHRC to take over the annual event. Thanks to Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, for his foresight in agreeing to manage the event, despite having supported it previously with his presence and resources. The support of individuals like Jide Ojo, John Isabage and, Edward Adebayo an, many others can,not be forgotten easily.
Since stepping back, I have been inundated with calls from many claiming to be co-owners who want the Fiesta restored to its original format, especially now that it is held at the NHRC premises, contrasting with earlier venues such as Hawthorn Suites, Nicon Luxury Hotel, Sheraton Hotel & Towers (now Abuja Continental), and the Abuja Exhibition Pavilion, which regularly showcased artists like Aishida and others. I have communicated this to the NHRC, though.
While I am now very limited in time and resources and do not want to take back the event from the NHRC, I recognise the need for a slightly modified version to sustain its cultural and celebratory essence even during challenging times. I have therefore decided to launch ‘Human Rights Fest’, also to be held on 10th December, International Human Rights Day.
The Human Rights Fest would signify a FESTival dedicated to putting human rights first (FEST). Although smaller in scale than the previous versions, it will focus on music and speech sessions that characterised the original event.
On that day, 10th of December, 2025, I am scheduled to speak at the Nigerian Bar Association (Lagos Branch) event at Muson Centre, Lagos, to mark the International Human Rights Day. The same day, I will also be in Abuja to host the Human Rights Fest at the Coffee Arcade in Asokoro. Additionally, I will attend a Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, where Prof. Sam Amadi, (now the Highly Venerable), will serve as the Chief Testifier.
Let us prepare for a busy December 10th, International Human Rights Day. See you there, Deo Volente!
Frank Tietie
Lawyer, Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) & Media Personality, writing from Abuja
