A Comment By Olumide Akpata, NBA President, Represented By Clement Chukwuemeka Ugo (Bwari Department Chairman of NBA- Abuja) On the Celebration of the 2020 Human Rights Day
A REMARK BY OLUMIDE AKPATA, NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, REPRESENTED BY CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA UGO (BWARI BRANCH CHAIRMAN OF NBA- ABUJA) ON THE CELEBRATION OF THE 2020 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY AT TREASURE SUITS & CONFERENCES, ABUJA –FCT.
PROTOCOLS;
Right now commemorates Worldwide Human Rights Day and for this goal we’re all gathered as stakeholders, crusaders and promoters of the Rule of Legislation and human rights in Nigeria, trying again yesterday, seeing it as we speak and hoping for the longer term, as we RECOVER BETTER AND STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS being the theme of this 12 months celebration.
Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) recognises the essential roles of Nationwide Human Rights Fee in direction of the promotion, and safety of human rights in Nigeria since inception. The position of NHRC is commendable in advocating and defending the human rights in Nigeria significantly throughout the difficult interval within the historical past of our nation.
The Nationwide Human Rights Fee(NHRC) and the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) have expressed sturdy dedication to aiding any individual with complaints of Human Rights violation towards the disbanded Particular Anti-Theft Squad (SARS) and different tactical items of Nigeria Police Power (NPF) on the sittings of the Unbiased Investigative Panels (IIP) on allegations of Human Rights violation towards the Squad. This led to the signing of Memorandum of Partnership (MOP) between the Govt Secretary of NHRC Tony OjukwuEsq. and the President of NBA OlumideAkpataEsq. to affirm their dedication in direction of aiding victims of Human Rights violation by personnel of the NPF and readiness to behave as Amicus Curiae within the numerous investigation panels nationwide.Everyone knows the actions of the defunct SARS have impacted negatively on the enjoyment of Human Rights on our residents from the testimonies popping out from numerous states panels.
It’s related at this level that this position can’t be down performed and the NBA as a physique is ever able to accomplice with this noble establishment to see that our legal guidelines are revered and the rights of the residents protected. To this finish, NBA on this administration has arrange numerous committees equivalent to Public Pursuits Litigation Committee, Human Rights Committee and a few particular advert hoc our bodies to take care of numerous problems with human rights violation, NBA as an organisation and in holding to tabs with safety of human rights and advocacy have a standing committee recognised by the NBA structure, established and headed by each elected Vice Chairman of the department of NBA throughout the nation, it’ll curiosity you to notice that below the current management of NBA in whom I’m standing in as we speak Mr. OLUMIDE AKPATA instructed all branches of NBA throughout the nation below the human rights committees to recognise as we speak in direction of creating the wanted consciousness towards human rights violation in direction of recovering higher..
NBA demonstrating readiness to confront this monster lately did name emergency NEC assembly within the publish Lekki disaster to handle the problem of the nationwide emergency. We now have not solely lent our voice to the outright rape and violation of rights of residents to freedom of expression however we condemned in sturdy phrases the violence assault on the individuals and rights of the #Endsars protesters. Our branches throughout the nation had been promptly instructed to evaluate the state of affairs and intervene by offering Professional-bono authorized providers to the victims of #Endsars assaults who had been arrested and detained within the numerous amenities throughout the nation.
I pause at this second to take a look at the varied themes for as we speak’s convention. The Covid-19 expertise sadly uncovered the depth of rots in our well being sector. The disaster posed by the pandemic utterly introduced down our struggling well being amenities utterly that the devastating outcome was unprecedented within the annals of the nationwide historical past. It should be admitted that we had been all casualties, the wealthy, the poor, the rulers and the dominated, the young and old.
NBA agrees with the sub theme of financing our well being, and schooling. Individuals entry to inexpensive, accessible, price environment friendly well being providers is sine qua non and non – negotiable. The proper to heath is the correct to life and dignity of man.
There’s a saying that earlier than you ask for a garments from somebody, you need to before everything take a look at the one she or he is carrying , we’re conscious of the state of healthcare on the villa regardless of large finances.
Subsequently, it’s the main obligation of the federal government to guard the life of individuals via heavy funding within the well being of the folks via inexpensive and accessible well being care providers. However, our progress as a nation can’t be swifter than our progress in schooling. Human minds are our basic assets. Quoting from a US president. Additionally within the case of GaniFawehinmi v. Abacha the courtroom has made schooling without any consideration for Nigerians.
We can not as promoters of the Rule of legislation and human rights shrink back from defending the rights of Nigerians to schooling. It’s the obligation of the federal government to spend money on schooling inside the UNESCO commonplace and see that assets each in human and supplies are deployed in direction of the set objective, NBA as an organisation shall help humane stringent insurance policies and rights based mostly approaches from authorities to attaining the set objectives of obligatory entry to schooling with out intermittent strikes. On a lighter word; how will you are feeling to understand that the top of excessive establishment in Nigeria do not need any of his kids in Nigerian College? Your guess is nearly as good as mine.
Nigeria operates a constitutional democracy, each 4 years leaders are elected, on the day of swearing in and/ or oath taking; pledges are chorused to the admiration of all, holding a holy Bible or a holy Quran and in addition to their wives in some circumstances:
Oaths of Allegiance:
I ……….… Do solemnly swear/affirm that I will probably be devoted and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that I’ll protect, shield and defend the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
So assist me God.
Oath of Workplace of President.
I, ……………. do solemnly swear/affirm that I will probably be devoted and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I’ll discharge my duties to the perfect of my capability, faithfully and in accordance with the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the legislation, and all the time within the curiosity of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I’ll attempt to protect the Elementary Goals and Directive Ideas of State Coverage contained within the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I can’t enable my private curiosity to affect my official conduct or my official choices; that I’ll to the perfect of my capability protect, shield and defend the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I’ll abide by the Code of Conduct contained within the Fifth Schedule to the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I’ll do proper to all method of individuals, in keeping with legislation, with out worry or favour, affection or ill-will; that I can’t immediately or not directly communication or divulge to any individual any matter which shall be introduced below my consideration or shall develop into recognized to me as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, besides as could also be required for the due discharge of my duties as President; and that I’ll dedicate myself to the service and well-being of the folks of Nigeria.
So assist me God.
We should recognize God almighty for being a merciful, forgiven and humane God, The chapter IV particularly Part 39 and 40 of the 1999 Nigerian Structure as amended shades tears and feels bitterafter each swearing in of our leaders.
Nonetheless, constitutional democracy is usually described as the one type of authorities which might assure the safety, promotion and Significant enjoyment of human rights, however what can we see? Unusual dissenting opinions of residents are thought to be enemies of the state thereby clogging the wheel of civil liberties regardless of promising God almighty to obey and respect the structure to the perfect of their capability.
Unarguably, we will attest that the human rights file below the varied democratic governments in Nigeria is pretty better-of compared with navy dictatorship. Nonetheless, it could be deceptive to argue that democratic governance essentially restores and ensures civil liberties and freedoms. Quite the opposite, heinous crimes and circumstances of human rights violations exist below the varied civilian dispensations. Do we’ve hope? I’ll say YES; in an unjust society, silence is a criminal offense towards humanity as Senator Dino Melaye will all the time say. Even Delay in talking out is harmful to human rights campaign as our present Vice President Prof.YemiOsibanjo(SAN) CFR as soon as mentioned and I quote;
“I perceive the legislation of sowing and reaping, it’s a non secular legislation that has large bodily implication. Any time we delay or frustrate what we will do as we speak, leaving it until tomorrow, we held again the longer term, and we too should reap what we’ve sown by experiencing delay in attaining our set goal”
We should communicate out and demand for our rights. Nelson Mandela as soon as mentioned; “For to be free just isn’t merely to forged off ones chains, however to stay in a approach that respects and enhances the liberty and wellbeing of others’’
Going ahead, we should advocate for Individuals cantered governance, if we get it proper in our electoral system and proper based mostly approaches to coverage formulation, will probably be just like the biblical injunction that stipulates search you the dominion of God and different issues shall be added unto you.
We’re in an period the place crimes, home and gender based mostly violence that has penalties rooted in our legal guidelines are “executively” settled on a tv display screen with out regret to the society. However I do know, WE SHALL OVERCOME SOME DAY.
Nationwide Human Rights Fee is 25 years, going by survival indices in Nigeria, 82% or extra of 25 years previous Nigerians are nonetheless being fed and accommodated by their dad and mom. That is the place we should commend the efforts of the management of NHRCproficiently led by the Govt Secretary TONY OJUKWU, ESQ for residing independently, reporting violation of rights correctly and talking reality to energy regardless of being below the age of dependency in Nigeria and underfunded.
NBA may be very completely satisfied to accomplice with the fee and we sit up for extra collaboration that can sometime carry complete observance and obedience to Human rights in Nigeria, I’m optimistic, I don’t know of us herein, however with talking out and creating the mandatory consciousness like todays Program, it’s attainable.
Thanks all for listening.
Clement Chukwuemeka Esq.
For; Olumide Akpata Esq.
NBA President.
10/12/2020
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