By Our Correspondent
Governments at all levels in the country have been called upon to focus on socioeconomic policies that empower and support vulnerable citizens in order to move the large population of Nigerians out of “poverty net into social safety net”.
The call was made yesterday in Abuja by the Barr Victor’s Foundation for Humanity and Human Rights in a New Year goodwill message which urged “government and citizens to prioritize humanity, empathy and compassion in 2025”.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director, Mr. Victor Onyekachi, the foundation lamented that, “the basic human qualities among citizens that translate into a great people and nation are fast ebbing out in our society” and added that, “no nation can become great where the basic human qualities like compassion, empathy, love, kindness and patriotism are non-existent or dwindling.
“This is why Mahatma Ghandi said, ‘The greatness of any nation and its moral progress is judged by the way its weak citizens are treated”.
The governments, accordingly, “needs to support the weak, feeble, devitalized, vulnerable, the marginalized and the socially excluded population”, Mr. Onyekachi stated.
The foundation maintained that, in 2025, government at all levels should govern with “absolute respect for the dignity of the governed”, respect for the fundamental human rights of citizens as contained in the 1999 Constitution, as well as other ratified instruments on human rights.
“Every individual” it stated, “deserves to be treated with humanity, dignity and respect, regardless of his or her background, origin, ethnicity, religion, creed or social status”.
The Foundation whose core mandate includes promotion of humanity, human rights, provision of free legal services to victims of human rights violations and promotion of good governance among others further emphasized that “government should be intentional about allowing humanity to be expressed through policies, programs and social contract with citizens.
“Policy makers and frontline leaders across all sectors should therefore model humanity and uphold respect for the dignity of Nigerians, especially in administering the resources of the nation which they hold in trust for the citizens.
“Without apparent humanity in governance, national progress and development will be a mirage,” the statement added.
In a related development, the foundation equally called on citizens to shun criminal tendencies, illegalities, “love their country, support government policies, show respect for leaders as patriotic and worthy citizens” through constructive criticisms and engagement as national development is a collective responsibility of all citizens.
