Nigeria’s Dark Hour: Human Rights Decline And Exploding Gender Violence Rates – Ezeilo

Human rights activist and former United Nations Rapporteur on Human Trafficking, Professor Joy Ngozi Ezilo, has highlighted the dire state of food security in Nigeria, stating that many citizens lack access to the fundamental right to food.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Tuesday during the commemoration of the 2024 Human Rights Day, Ezilo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), emphasized the urgent need to address rising poverty and inflation, which continue to exacerbate inequality across the nation. She noted that this year’s theme, “Equality for All: Reducing Inequality and Advancing Human Rights,” serves as a critical reminder to bridge these growing disparities.

“The right to food, a basic necessity for survival and development, remains out of reach for many Nigerians,” Ezilo stated. “The right to life becomes meaningless without the ability to secure a decent livelihood. As we reflect on this year’s theme, we must confront the harsh realities of growing inequalities and the extreme poverty fueled by unchecked inflation.”

She urged citizens to unite in promoting and protecting human rights, emphasizing the importance of accountability. “Stand up for your rights. Without unwavering demand and solidarity, accountability becomes impossible,” she added.

As an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), Ezilo also called for decisive action against corruption, which she described as a major driver of Nigeria’s underdevelopment.

“I am often asked if corruption violates human rights, and my answer is unequivocally yes. Corruption is both a cause and a consequence of underdevelopment. It burdens us with foreign debt, breeds hopelessness, denies justice, fuels youth unemployment, and perpetuates social and economic exclusion. It erodes human dignity, threatens basic rights, and undermines survival,” Ezilo concluded.