Nigeria: Information on the Movement for Social and Economic Justice including its mandate, size, and the names of its executive members
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA30331.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Information on the Movement for Social and Economic Justice including its mandate, size, and the names of its executive members, 1 October 1998, NGA30331.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abb622.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Deputy National Chairperson of the Movement for Social and Economic Justice (MOSEJ), stated in a telephone interview that the organization is "issue-oriented" and non-governmental with a pro-democracy and human rights orientation (15 Oct. 1998). He said that MOSEJ has at least 4,200 members in all parts of Nigeria and that membership is free. Furthermore, he stated that MOSEJ carries out many of its activities through conferences and workshops and that its current focus is on the eradication of poverty. He said that the group's activities of "educating people on their rights and responsibilities" has meant that they are "not in the good books of the government." He confirmed that Michael Bamidele is the Secretary General of MOSEJ, but that he is currently working in the United States on human rights issues. In his absence the Executive Director, in an acting capacity, is a person named Akinogunlola. The organization also has a Treasurer and a number of directors responsible for specific projects. The Women in Parliament Unit is directed by Mrs. Bosd Mbah. The current address of MOSEJ is 40 Araroni Street, P.O. Box 835 Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria. Its telephone number is 011 2341 523152; its fax number is 011 2341 526125.
According to the internet web page of Michael Opeyemi Bamidele MOSEJ was one of several "pro-democracy and human rights groups," along with members of the then banned Social Democratic Party, that set up the National Democratic Coalition in 1994. Mr. Bamidele refers to himself as a Nigerian human rights expert currently working at the Refugee Law Center in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as being the Director of the U.S. based Human Rights and Refugee Projects (HRRP) and the Secretary General of MOSEJ.
The Movement for Social and Economic Justice is one of several groups that formed the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria on 29 April 1998 (Africa News Online 1 May 1998; Africa Policy Information Center 29 April 1998). For information on this group's member organizations, and its first public message please see the attached document.
The Movement for Social and Economic Justice was also one of some 42 "co-convenors" of the Free Nigeria Movement which organized a 27 July 1998 march on Washington, DC (Free Nigeria Movement n.d.) Amnesty International also reports that on 11 September 1997 Nigerian police prevented MOSEJ from organizing a "seminar on human rights and the rule of law" at the University of Lagos.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Africa News Online. 1 May 1998. "Nigerian Pro-Democracy Coalition is Launched." [Internet]
Africa Policy Information Center. 29 April 1998 "Nigeria: Recent Developments - Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON) Special Communique." [Internet]
Amnesty International. n.d. Amnesty International External Archive. "Nigeria: No Significant Change - Human Rights Violations Continue." [Internet]
Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi. n.d. "Home Page of Nigeria's Michael Opeyemi Bamidele" [Internet]
Free Nigeria Movement. "March on Washington for a Free Nigeria." [Internet]
Movement for Social and Economic Justice. 15 October 1998. Telephone interview with National Deputy Chairperson
Attachment
Africa News Online. 1 May 1998. "Nigerian Pro-Democracy Coalition is Launched." [Internet]