Stakeholders converged on Abuja to brainstorm on the Security and human rights issues at a National Conference on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
The conference brought together top government functionaries, Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organizations to deliberate on the importance of these two key issues for development in Less Developed Countries
The one-day conference, with the theme to strengthen the implementation of voluntary principles on security and human rights in Nigeria beamed light on the obligation of governments of all less developed countries to promoting and preserving the well being of its citizenry.
Declaring open the discussions, the Minister of foreign affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, represented by the Acting Director of International Organisations, Ambassador Nasir Ameno said efforts of the Ministry has led to Nigeria becoming a permanent member of the voluntary principles Association which he hopes will aid requisite training and exchange of expertise in security and human rights related issues in Nigeria.
According to the Minister, the relationship between host communities and extractive sector particularly the Petroleum industries have been unfriendly owing to the problems of pollution and environmental damage which he said often disrupts the people’s means of livelihood thereby breeding restiveness.
For the Co-Chair Nigeria Working Group, Dr Joel Bisina, it is the obligation of government to promote and preserve the well being of its citizens and as such, the conference is an for participants to discuss the importance of the principles, implementations and prospects of the voluntary principles on security and human rights especially as it relates to them.
He urged the federal government to create representative desk officials to enable the working group carry out its programmes and operations efficiently.
The Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission Mr Tony Ojukwu who said that the Commission is working presently partnering the voluntary working groups in addressing human right issues in Nigeria called for all hands to be on deck in the fight against injustice.
For the country Representatives of Switzerland, Australia, and Canada, Nigeria will benefit if she promotes and protects human rights as the security and welfare of the masses should be the priority of government so as to maintain peace.
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