From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Network of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (NOCSON), has tasked Nigerian politicians to jettison personal interest for the overall interest of the larger society if the country must attain its pride of place in the comity of nations.
President of the group, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi made the call while marking the United Nations 75th anniversary of the World Human Rights Day with the theme “Dignity, Justice and Freedom for All” in Benin.
He said the major challenge besetting the country is that of leadership and that, until we get it right, no meaningful development can be made.
According to him “We use this medium to call on governments at all levels, to rise up to the challenges of building a better nation -Nigeria.
“Our leaders must learn to sacrifice their personal comfort, selfish interests for the general good of citizens.
“They must muster the courage and political will to take far reaching decisions to ensure the security and welfare of the people.
” We charge government to tackle insecurity in the nation, poverty and hunger in the land, electoral malpractices, corruption within and outside government and develop the will to make policies and implement same to save businesses in the country”,
Speaking on the theme ” Dignity, Justice and Freedom for All”, the guest speaker, Pascal Ugbomhe, called on Nigerians to be bold enough to speak truth to power without minding who is involved.
Speaking also, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Dankwara, represented by ACP Bawa Saliu, said the police will graciously work with the civil rights group in the state and ensure that the rights of the citizens are not abused in anyway.
Bawa Saliu said on his own, he has made it a point of duty not to detain and persons with physical disability and the elderly except he or she has committed a henious crime.
Also speaking, the Chief Judge of Edo state, Daniel Okungbowa represented by Nosa Michael Musoe, the Chief Magistrate of the state, while commending NOCSON, urged Nigerians to lending a helping hand to those living with physical disability adding that they too have rights.
For the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, represented by Mrs. Bridget Iguodala, called on Nigerian parents to respect the rights of their children.