During plenary on Wednesday July 17, 2024, Senator Ned Munir Nwoko was appointed as the chairman of the newly established Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation.
The appointment marks a critical moment as Nigeria and other African nations ramp up efforts to confront historical injustices and champion the cause for reparations.
This key appointment leverages Senator Ned Nwoko’s extensive background in law, politics, and philanthropy, positioning him to lead efforts in addressing historical injustices.
The lawmaker is renowned for his role in securing the Paris Club loan refunds, which played a crucial part in stabilizing Nigeria’s economy.
His academic credentials include law and history degrees from Keele University England and a Master’s in Maritime and Commercial Law from King’s College London. He is also celebrated for his legislative work, including the Malaria Eradication Project and various bills aimed at national development.
Nwoko’s international experience, including being called to the English Bar as a Barrister at law of Lincoln’s Inn and serving as Secretary-General of Nigerian Legal Practitioners in the UK, adds a global perspective to his leadership. This, combined with his dedication to humanitarian causes and environmental advocacy, makes him exceptionally suited to chair the committee focused on reparations and repatriation.
In addition to his track record, Senator Nwoko has been at the forefront of legislative efforts to demand reparations for historical injustices and mitigate neocolonialism in Nigeria and other African nations.
He has also written to the British Prime Minister, demanding an apology and reparations for the inhuman and degrading treatments during slavery and the exploitation of African resources by colonial oppressors.
With this appointment, there is a lot of expectations that Senator Nwoko will be poised to lead the charge in addressing the legacies of slavery, colonialism, and exploitation, ensuring that the voices of those affected are heard and reparations are sought.
As a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, he is well-positioned to lead this unique committee and carry forward from where Moshood Abiola left off.
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