A coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of the Nigerian Human Rights Community, NHRC, yesterday, lamented the declining socio-economic conditions of Nigerians.
NHRC said incompetence on the part of public officials, high cost of living, corruption and insecurity blighting the country’s progress was worrisome, saying the growing number of economically displaced people was alarming.
Speaking on behalf of the group in Lagos at an award ceremony held by NHRC to honour Nigerians who contributed to the struggle for democracy, Mr Taiwo Adeleye, said they hoped the award would stimulate President Bola Tinubu to listen to the cries of Nigerians at this difficult time.
Adeleye said: “There would have been no democracy without June 12. Nigerians made sacrifices. People laid down their lives for peace and prosperity of Nigeria. Many people were killed. Many were maimed. It is important to continue to reward these heroes to let them know Nigerians value their past and present contributions.
“The June 12 anniversary is significant. Ironically, it coincides with the one year anniversary of President Tinubu. Nigerians expect a radical change from Tinubu government because he is the first candidate from the human rights constituency that has ever emerged as the President of the country. Nigerians are looking up to him to bring the country back from the brink.”
On his part, Tinubu, who was represented by a senior special assistant, Tunde Rahman, said: “As most of us know, President Bola Tinubu ranks highly in this category of patriots who fought stridently for our democracy. As a Senator in 1993 after the annulment of June 12, he led a team of lawmakers who did the unthinkable under a military regime: they demanded an end to military rule.
When General Abacha came, Tinubu and others formed National Democratic Coalition, NADECO. For his agitation for democracy, he was hounded. His residence in Ikeja was petrol-bombed by agents of the state who thought he had died inside the house. He then escaped abroad where he continued the agitation, providing support and assistance to pro-democracy activists abroad to sustain the struggle.”
Those honoured by NHRC included President Tinubu, Professor Wole Soyinka, former General Secretary of NADECO, Chief Ayo Opadokun; and NADECO Chieftain Wale The group also awarded Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, for peace building, conflict prevention and community empowerment in the Niger-Delta.Osun.
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