Human Rights Group Convene To Discuss The Revival Of Stiff-Necked Advocacy, Economy Downturn And Solutions
By Onome Naomi
A body of human rights groups, which includes AMPEF, advocates possible solutions to awaken the firmness and stiff-necked advocacy practiced by human rights groups and activists of old. They possess the willpower to straighten the maladministration of a country involving top government officials found to commit fraudulent acts by way of squandering and syphoning of public funds. The scrutiny of a weak administration by this set of human rights activists also includes incongruous actions aimed at causing suffering to the masses, insecurity, and other matters of interest as regards the economic situation without being compromised by brown envelopes.
The conference was held on January 20, 2024, at the corporate human rights office of the Ambassadors of Peace and Enlightenment Foundation (Voice of the Voiceless) in the Isheri area of Lagos State. Other purposes of the press conference include: analysis of the current economic situation causing Nigeria to retrogress almost irredeemably; issues concerning insecurity; inflation; increase in daily consumption of commodities; increase in pump prices; the rise in the dollar; fraudulent lawmakers, etc.
Comrade Prince Saviour Iche, the founder of AMPEF, who delivered the opening speech at the conference, stated that Nigeria, the once-celebrated giant of Africa, is now a shadow of itself. Netizens, especially the youth, possess so much talent yet lack the capacity to build on these discoveries due to bad leadership.
Moreso, the people whom Nigerians once embraced as role models, “Festus Keyamo, Late Gani Fawehinmi, and others, have stained their reputation by way of compromise. The bishops and pastors have flocked to the nooks and crannies of Abuja looking for contracts, leading to the mockery of Christianity as a religion. The killings of Christians in Jos in recent times was never really addressed as they should be; the only solution proffered by religious houses is the display of placards rather than grossly addressing the situation for a resolution.
Comrade Iche also said there is a need to create a movement that will spread across the nation. The aim is to demand accountability from the federal government in extinction of the silence endured since the inception of misappropriation of public funds. Says compromise has evolved in the system, leading to mass looting and irregularities in decision-making.
Comrade Leye, the first speaker, talked extensively about the fuel subsidy removal, insists its purpose has no significance that could better the well-being of the masses. He said the irregularities seen in pump prices at different locations shows Pres.Tinubu isn’t in synchrony with the reality out there, suggesting he re-addresses the lingering issue for a re-modification by bringing in independent marketers as done in the past but controlled by the government, privatisation should be minimal.
Moreso, Comrade Leye affirmed that the real cause of the hike in prices is: the wrong figures declared in counts of oil barrels produced; crude oil no longer gets to the final consumer; aviation oil is the same as domestically used fuel, etc. Solutions will be: a public announcement of fuel prices, which should be adhered to by oil marketers in uniformity; and the co-opt of more independent marketers.
The 2nd speaker, comrade evangelist Daniel Oguine from the committee on human rights, talked about checking strictly the activities of Tinubu’s ministers and other lawmakers, as seen in the case of Minister of Interior Betta Edu. He said the president is bestowed with the political will and moral justification to do what is beneficial to the masses. Without mincing words, comrade Daniel insists that Tinubu’s government has become worse as time goes by, the economic hardship has worsened, insecurity and inflation are also on the rise. He advises President Tinubu to analyse the issues at hand and profess solutions to avoid dire consequences and backlash from the suffering masses.
The 3rd speaker, comrade Chris Chuka, said the economy, work life, and human development are greatly affected by the difficulty experienced in the day-to-day activities of netizens. He said the government should pay attention to NURTW as transportation fares increase consistently. It implores the federal and state governments to create an effective transportation system for the masses and goods, as well as work on insecurity.
Comrade Saviour Iche, the 4th speaker, buttressed on the rising dollar. He said it is imminent that the dollar-to-naira increase seems impossible to balance, which has led to the collapse of industries. The close of borders has also contributed immensely to the extinction of companies that can no longer operate due to low sales. Foreign partners who do not have access to products from Nigeria due to border closure now produce their own, leading to a reduction in cross-country trade. Unemployment also increased, and as a consuming nation, things are 10 times more expensive than in 2015.
Iche opinned:
“There is serious inflation issues; the naira is becoming worthless by the day; Nigeria has uncountable natural resources, yet the focus is on crude oil while other natural resources are being marginalised by foreigners. The mass looting of government funds by lawmakers is stashed in banks abroad. Billions announced as being allocated to micro entrepreneurs is a lie.
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Nigerians should focus on being industrialists rather than religious bigots, the youth should engage in skill acquisition because school has become a scam.
As citizens, if we can’t elect the rightful leaders through our votes, then we are slaves.”
Iche also advised fellow colleagues to make sure they have a private source of income so as to enable them shun compromises of any sort and adhere to a just cause in the fight against maladministration.
AMPEF coordinators from Mushin, isolo and other locations were present at the conference.
