Prof. Olawuyi gets AU Environmental Rights Appointment

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, has been appointed as an expert member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations.

Olawuyi, a law teacher with specialty in energy and environmental law, was appointed at the commission’s recently concluded 66th Ordinary Session, according to a statement, titled, “African Union appoints Professor Olawuyi.”

The statement quoted the Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, Solomon AyeleDersso, as saying, “The Commission, during its 66th Ordinary session, held virtually from 13 July to 08 August 2020, selected and appointed you as a member of the Working Group.

“I would like to congratulate you on your appointment and welcome you to the Working Group. The Working Group looks forward to working with you and benefitting from your expertise in the field of extractive industries, environment and human rights in Africa.”

Reacting to the appointment, Olawuyi said, “It is an absolute privilege and honor to have been appointed by the African Commission to serve on this important Working Group.  If properly developed, extractive industries have enormous potential to unlock economic prosperity and sustainable growth across the continent. I look forward to contributing my best to making this happen.

“I thank Hon. Commissioner Dersso and members of the African Commission for their confidence in me. I very much look forward to working with them to advance the Commission’s important work of deepening a culture of human rights in natural resource development across the continent.”

Source – Punch