By Gami Tadanyigbe
Chief Ebosetale David Aigbefoh, has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria, on the need to respect the fundamental human rights of its citizens and adhere to the rule of law to foster peaceful co-existence and socio-economic development of the country.
Aigbefoh made the call, during the occasion of International Christian Organisation for Sustainable Development (ICOSD) Nigerian Chapter in Gwagwalada.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the occasion was tagged “POVERTY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA”
He said in order to make the society conducive for the people, Nigeria must provide all the fundamental rights and freedoms associated with a democratic society.
According to him, there was need for the establishment of a progressive constitutional Bill of Rights that can serve the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized sectors of the population.
“Poverty is a fertile ground for all social vices that erodes human rights and People living in poverty are generally most likely to see their human rights violated and are least likely to enforce their rights.
“There are two types of poverty; poverty of goods and poverty of the mind. Both orchestrated in a country that is badly governed.
“The term “POVERTY” refers to the state or condition in which people or communities lack the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living, as such their basic human needs cannot be met.
“Poverty stricken people and families may go without proper housing, clean water, healthy food, and medical attention. Each Nation may have its own criteria for determining the poverty line and counting how many of its people live in poverty.
“Poverty is an individual concern as well as a broader social problem. According the words of Aristotle, “poverty is the parent of revolution and crime”, and poverty is the worst form of violence,” he said
Therefore, he, suggested that the government should focus more on the realization of the socio-economic rights of its people, to ensure that all Nigerians enjoy equal access to justice, basic healthcare and opportunities.
He also called for consultation to discuss and debate the desirability of including legally enforceable economic, social and cultural rights in the Nigerian constitution.
“Human Rights are inherent in all persons, everyone has the right to live in dignity and to participate fully in the society. Poverty denies people these rights, specifically, poverty affects economic and social rights.
“Those rights that relate to the workplace, social security, access to housing, food, water, health care and education.
“When as a society we allow poverty to persist, we fail to protect these Basic Human Right. For those living with poverty many human rights are out of reach among many other deprivation, they often lack access to education, health services, safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
“We believe that human dignity, freedom and equality are denied those who have no food, clothing and shelter.
“Affording socio-economic rights to all people therefore enables them to enjoy the other rights which are already recognized and guaranteed in the Nigerian Constitution,” he said. (NAN