Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of the Fundamental Human Rights and general well being of it’s citizens.
The Lagos State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje ably represented by Director Civil Litigations, Mrs. Yemisi Ogunlola, recently disclosed this during the commemoration of the 2023 World Human Rights Day, Themed: “CONSOLIDATING & SUSTAINING HUMAN RIGHTS CULTURE INTO THE FUTURE” at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industries LCCI, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the Solicitor General, human rights is an indispensable way to make our life peaceful and worth living. Every person is entitled to some rights that are given to them for just being a part of this world irrespective of their race, colour, gender and societal status.
“It is crucial to know that Rights are what make society tolerable and sympathetic of each other’s practices and beliefs”, she said.
Furthermore, Mrs. Shitta-Bey-Jeje charged School Authorities and Guardians to protect their wards and direct them towards a promising future, emphasising that the State will continue to ensure that through seminars, trainings, drama presentations and school debates across the State, it will continue to bring awareness to the importance of knowing your right as a citizen, how these rights can be protected and how infractions are can be addressed.
Also speaking from the Office of Education and Quality Assurance, Mr. Kamorudeen Amusan noted that children have rights and no child should be treated unfairly for any reason.
“Children and young people have the same general human rights as adults and also specific rights that recognize their special needs. Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of charity. They are human beings and are the subject of their own rights”
Mr. Kamorudeen Amusan stressed that in a protective environment where children’s rights are respected, the world’s most vulnerable children can flourish and reach their highest potential.
He encouraged participants to pay attention to their surroundings at all times while ensuring that children’s rights and safety will continue to be a priority in this present administration.
The Director for Directorate of Citizens Right, Ms. Adetutu Oshinusi, expressed gratitude towards the stakeholders and students for supporting the government on its journey to protect the rights of citizens across the State, while imploring them to continue being good citizens and ambassadors of the Human Rights movement.
Oshinusi therefore urged students and participants at the program to report any form of abuse or violations to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Directorates for Citizens Rights even if it involves family, friends or loved ones.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Deputy Director, Directorate of Citizens Right, Mr. Ishola, commended the State Government and the Lagos State Ministry of Justice for their unwavering support towards the safety of children in the State, ensuring that the State Government will continue to unfold initiatives and intervention programmes that will promote the Child Rights’ Protection Law.