…clamour for practical projection of Human Rights Laws in Nigeria
In commemoration of the International Day of Human Rights, the Justice Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, Catholic Diocese of Ekiti has called for a concerted effort to end human rights abuse in the State.
The call was made during the Annual Quiz/Debate Competition organised by the Group to commemorate the Human Rights Day, held at JDPI Office, Catholic Bishop’s Quarters in Ado-Ekiti.
According to the Director of the Initiative, Rev. Father Emmanuel Akingbade, the tranquillity of a sane society depends on the incorporation and protection of human rights, adding that human rights are beyond the papers as it is part of human existence.
He said, “Today’s event is another opportunity to celebrate Human Rights with the young ones. Human rights are not something to be taken with levity, if we are to live in peace, there’s a need to protect the rights of every human in the society. That is why we have Gender Base Laws, Child’s rights laws, Displaced Persons Laws and other Human Rights Laws.
“In Ekiti, we want a reduction in abuses in human rights values; we want an increase in human rights values.”
Also, acknowledging the growth in human rights laws in the Country, Rev. Emmanuel, having commended the laws, asserted that Human Rights must be a way of life, thus, called for a practical projection of the provisions contained in the Law.
He said, “In international levels, Human Rights Law is compounding; however, we are slow in putting these laws into practice. Human Rights is something we need to value, it is for all of us.
“Human Rights must become our way of life. It is not meant to exist in theory; we should give it effect by translating human rights theory to Human Rights Practices.”
More so, encouraging an improved advocacy on Human Rights among students, the Director called for a practical discharge of the Law, saying that, the Human Rights Law serves both the interest of the young and old.
Moreover, apart from the dignitaries that were present at the programme, it was also graced by students from eight different secondary schools across the State, which include: Fountain High School, Ado-Ekiti; Mary Hills High St, Ado-Ekiti; AUD Comprehensive High School, Ado-Ekiti; St. Theresa Catholic Secondary School, Ikole-Ekiti.
Others include: Muslim College, Oke-ila; Are-Afao Comprehensive High School, Afao-Ekiti, St.Louis Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti; Mary Immaculate Girls Grammar School, Ado-Ekiti, respectively.
The students made different presentations to create awareness on Human Rights.