By Miracle Ubah
The World Day of Justice was celebrated around the globe on February 20th, with people and organizations coming together to promote a more just and equitable world.
Face of Liberty International joined Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HURREC) and the Live and Let Live Movement at the Faculty of Social Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria to commemorate this global day on Tuesday February 21, 2023.
Mr. Leonard Ogunweide, Executive Director at Face of Liberty International and the Global Marketing Director for Live and Let Live Movement at the event reiterate how justice is pertinent to creating lasting peace and how being a good human can make achieving social justice easier leading to a peace world
The event featured a keynote speech on “the importance of social justice and its application in Nigeria”. The keynote speaker, Prof. Friday Ndubuisi of the Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos highlights the rudiments of social justice, how we can identify social injustice and way to cure social injustice in our nation. The event was part of a broader effort to raise awareness about social justice issues among young people in Nigeria.
Prof. Friday Ndubuisi called on the Federal Government to provide a level playing ground for citizens to have access to social justice, regardless of gender and social status. According to him, this can be done by adjusting the chapter two of the Nigerian constitution which focuses on right to education and health, such that Nigerians can contest violation of their right.
“The right of Nigerians to education, health, environment and all, stated in the constitution are not justiciable. So, we need the federal government to re-enact laws that will ensure people gain access to justice when their right to education or health is challenged.
“Nigeria was founded on democracy and social justice, issues relating to human right must be upheld and looked into, let every Nigerian have access to justice. This has been done in South Africa and other African countries, it should be done here in Nigeria so that everyone can have access to social justice. A large number of Nigerians have suffered lack of access to health, education and all for too long,” he said.
“We’re here to demand justice for all people, regardless of their race, gender, or economic status,” said one of the organizers. “We need to build a world where everyone has access to basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare, and where the government works for the people, not just the wealthy few.”
Prof. Franca Attoh, Head of Sociology Department, University of Lagos, said that conscious efforts must be made by the government to ensure everyone gets access to justice to have a well structured society. She said going forward, Nigerians should engage in “Class Action”, which is practiced in developed countries, where people go to court as a group to seek justice.
“The issue of social justice cannot be untied from governance, government has a lot to do on this. To have a society where everyone can contribute their quota in building the nation, we all must participate during the elections,” she said.
Also, Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy of Mass Communication Department, University of Lagos, noted that Nigeria being the largest economy in Africa and the poorest nation was paradoxical.
“This signifies that there has been lack of inclusivity in the country and no cohesion between the national and sub national levels. Social injustice is about bad governance and the way to reverse the situation is to be involved in the forthcoming elections,” she said.
Dr Dayo Kayode, an aviation safety expert and rights activist, suggested that to upscale social justice, government must embrace a pattern of budget which is “People’s needs analysis budget system”. He said this system of budget would ensure that every citizens’ needs are met. He called on all Nigerians to be fearless but brave in electing their leaders to make a difference this time.
The World Day of Social Justice is an annual event that aims to promote awareness of social justice issues and inspire action to create a more just and equitable world. The events held this year show that people around the world are committed to this goal, and are willing to take action to make it a reality.
