WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS OF THE DUE PROCESS ADVOCATES

WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS OF THE DUE PROCESS ADVOCATES

Every so often, we pause to acknowledge the new members of DPA. In the past couple of months, our membership has doubled. I use this opportunity to welcome our new members. We are so happy to have you here. You may kindly take one minute or so to review the group’s rules and principles and explanation of its logo, which are reproduced in this address. I am sure that when you do, you would agree that this is a great, self-governing virtual community of well meaning people who advocate for justice, rule of law, freedoms and civil liberty.

You were invited to become a member because another member believes that you would make a good advocate for justice and rule of law. Our main goal is to make DPA the authentic voice for justice, fairness, equity and right to the pursuit of happiness.

In the wake of the cold-blooded murders of four innocent students of Uniport, Nigeria, the Due Process Advocates formerly “Uniport 4” Organization was established. We shall continue to use what happened in Uniport as opportunity to condemn jungle justice, violent vigilantism, extra-judicial executions, crimes of sexual exploitation against women and children.

GROUP RULES:

(1) PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: Even though we are all members of this group, each person is solely responsible for his or her own posting and comments. While there is a common group interest in due process of law, there is no group responsibility for comments and postings made by a member.

(2) STANDARDS OF CIVILITY: Members shall observe civility in all communications either in general or between members. Disagreements must be done with dignity and respect to those we disagree with.

(3) LAW, JUSTICE AND DUE PROCESS: Members are encouraged to focus their postings on subject maters that concern these core themes. In this group, we shall focus on law, governments and institution as they pertain to law and justice.

(4) FOCUS ON VALUE AND BENEFIT TO MEMBERS: This group aspires to confer tangible benefits to members. We come from diverse backgrounds and age and experience. Many of us could be of help to others and vice versa. We shall simply help and learn from each other wherever possible and reasonable.

(5) THE RIGHT TO POST MESSAGES: All members shall have the right to post messages. But admin group may have to approve a posting. For this purpose, we shall appoint a number of people as administrators.

(6) NEW MEMBERS: We welcome all people without discrimination. And we encourage members to recommend and subscribe those of their friends whom they feel would be suitable members of this group. We only urge that each member should read and be familiar with our RULES and be guided by same.

(7) GLOBAL VALUES AND PERSPECTIVES: Even though our group has predominantly Nigerians as members, the goal of this group is to attract members from all over the world so we would have a truly universal or global community here. The more diverse the membership of the group, the greater the opportunity for us to learn from one another and to broaden our knowledge of the larger world. This is intended to be a truly quality group of refined people.

(8) GROUP EVENTS: Members shall hold many events - parties, seminars, social activities, etc. - in various parts of the world as the opportunity would exist. The whole idea is to accept our virtual world as a viable social medium for interaction in various forms.

DPA LOGO, EXPLAINED

Our logo is, in my opinion, a masterpiece, reflecting superior design skills and creativity on the part of Emmanuel Kc Civilian Amucha. It also reflects a great name, thanks to the name committee. Apart from the aesthetics, the logo contains all there is about the founding spirit and philosophy of DPA. Two key statements define us. The first statement starts off with the words: "knowledge + love + sharing = power WE". This is our message to the world. We believe that knowledge and love are two things that you earn more of only when you share them. Consider the other things in life. If you give away money, you have less of it. If you give away your property, you have less of it. But if you give away knowledge or love, you have more love and more knowledge. And with enough love, you can give away your money without losing it. So, why hesitate to give away knowledge and love?

When you share knowledge and love, you create a strong human community, which is the WE. If you recall, the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States starts with the words “We the people”. That is the WE power or power WE. So, in order to create a strong community where we could say "We the people", we need to share knowledge and we need to share love. And if you look inside the logo itself, you would see shapes of a multitude, the people, raising their hands as if to say, "We, the people". That's powerful.

Then you have our second message, which comes by way of an admonition, telling the people the danger of silence and lack of vigilance over their rights. As they say in equity: "Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt”, which translates to say that Equity aids only the vigilant, not the indolent. As a result, equity will not encourage a person who sleeps on his/her rights. Also, it reminds us of the statement by Thomas Jefferson that, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty". So, we have to guard our rights vigilantly and we have to have knowledge. If we don't know or if we forget our rights, then such rights would not exist. I think that our logo is rich in meaning and exquisite in design. I thank all of you for inspiring this logo and the message.

Again, congratulations for becoming a member of DPA. For our members in the United States do not forget to file for your taxes today.

Emeka Ugwuonye, Esquire

ECULAW GROUP

Group Founder and Principal Administrator