COVID-19: International Human Rights Commission To Present Award To Delta Rights Activist, Umukoro

By Daniel Dafe

The philanthropic and humanitarian activities of the National President of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Comrade Efemena Umukoro, has come to the fore, as the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) disclosed that he (Umukoro) like a few others will be presented a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ in recognition of the role he played in the fight against COVID-19 and his palliative support for the poor.

You will recall that Comrade Umukoro visited several Urhobo lands to share palliatives such as food items, money, facemasks and hand sanitizers to families and also known for his promotion of human rights and many times has stuck his neck out to in the defense of the rights of others.

A letter dated May 26, 2020 and signed by the Head of the Nigeria Central Office, Ambassador (Dr.) Friday Sani, conveying the message of IHRC, said: “As a responsible organization under a sensitive and responsive leadership of Sir Professor Raf Marcin Wasik (Secretary-General of IHRC) we did not waste time to activate all countries heads of IHRC including millions of volunteers all over the world to rise to the occasion where immeasurable manpower was brought into the fight against COVID-19.

“In view of the above and having assessed the contribution and sacrifice of some stakeholders, in the wisdom of the Secretary-General (Sir Professor Raf Marcin Wasik), it became necessary to single out these individuals all over the world to be presented with this international recognition of ‘Certificate of Appreciation’.”

According to IHRC, Umukoro’s nominee as a recipient for the award honour is in recognition of the role he played in the fight against COVID-19 and his palliative support for the poor, as they urged him to continue to do more for humanity.

Responding to the development, Umukoro commended the organization for singling him from the long list of others involved in such tasks for the honour.

According to him, his motivation is to always put smiles on the faces of people.

“I have been broke many times and I know how it feels. It is not a pleasant experience at all and so from the little I have, I always seek ways to share it with others.

“This recognition has taught me lots of lessons that someone is somewhere watching us without our knowing. Imagine an international organization honouring me.

“What I do is not a show but a genuine mission to advance humanity. May God continue to keep us and empower us to do more for humanity,” he said.