Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a prominent South West chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and seasoned human rights activist, has urged both federal and state governments to consistently uphold and protect the rights of their citizens.
Speaking on the occasion of this year’s International Human Rights Day, which falls on Tuesday, October 10, 2024, Ajadi emphasized that safeguarding citizens’ rights would foster public trust in government, promote national unity, and unlock Nigeria’s true potential.
Ajadi highlighted that the observance of Human Rights Day underscores the global commitment to equality, justice, and dignity. This year’s theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” serves as a timely reminder of the critical role human rights play in addressing global challenges.
In a statement personally signed on the occasion, Ajadi lamented the ongoing suffering of many Nigerians, attributing these challenges to violations of their fundamental rights by government agents, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
He specifically called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct security agencies to uphold citizens’ inalienable rights, emphasizing that any action contrary to this is incompatible with democratic principles.
“Let me use this occasion of International Human Rights Day to call on our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a known advocate of human rights, to remind government agencies, especially security operatives, that their primary duty is to protect citizens’ rights and safety. Anything to the contrary does not align with democracy,” Ajadi stated.
Ajadi also urged human rights activists to ensure that the celebration of rights does not infringe upon the rights of others, adding:
“Where one person’s right stops, that’s where another person’s begins.”
His call reinforces the collective responsibility to foster a fair, democratic, and just society fo
r all Nigerians.