Ayodele Olalere
The Nigerian human rights community has urged Nigerians to stand up and fight against rights violation in the country.
At the 30th anniversary celebration of the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), in Lagos, on Thursday, Guest Speaker, Prof. Akin Oyebode, while speaking on the theme: ‘Achieving a Functional Human Rights Enforcement Regime in a Liberal Democracy: Chronicling the Struggle and Identifying the Way Forward’, lamented Nigerian government’s bad records on human rights violation.
The erudite scholar said until Nigerians rose up and “take their destiny in their hands,” governments would continue to trample on their rights.
Said he, “The people are suffering. Nigeria has not risen to the consciousness where Nigerians will take their destiny in their hands.
“The Nigerian people are still being denied of their rights to go the heaven the way they want on account of the infelicity and encumbrances of the extant constitution. “The task of making the Nigerian people masters of their own destiny is still very much a work in progress.
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“This is a funny federation where states go begging the federal government every month with begging bowls. The people can achieve a lot if they are strong and united.
“Nigeria has a gross record of human rights violation. There is a high level of apathy and tolerance from the masses.
“We must campaign against human rights violation,” he said.
He added, “There is a need to ensure commitments from the government and its agencies. No efforts should be spared in ensuring Nigeria government imbibes the best international practice in human rights.”
In his address, the President, CDHR, Comrade Malachy Ugwumadu, said the organisation was initially established “with the aim of helping those whom were wrongfully detained by the oppressive ruling class” during the military era, but has now “metamorphosed into a giant human rights organization driven with the passion to render assistance to any person whose rights were and are being trampled upon.”
Those in attendance at the event included Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Prof. Julius Ihonvhere, former 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, Dele Adesina (SAN), and other top dignitaries.