Greetings to the loving people of Rivers State and welcome to another episode of RivEthics on Radio, our character-building weekend show. Remember that it is greatness to stand up for what is right, even if you stand alone. This episode is in commemoration of the United Nations Human Rights Day.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10th December – the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, Human Rights Day marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
The 2018 commemoration of Human Rights Day will mark the beginning of a year-long celebration of 70 years since the international community adopted the Declaration. We celebrate all our inalienable rights and freedoms including the right to education, a decent living, health care and the right to live free from any form of discrimination among others. These basic rights are based on shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence. These values are defined and protected by law in most countries including Nigeria. Human rights are relevant to all of us, not just those who face repression or mistreatment. They protect the individual in many areas of day-to-day living.
Human rights are at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). If there is absence of human dignity we cannot drive sustainable development. Human Rights are driven by progress on all SDGs, and the SDGs are driven by advancements on human rights. As stated in the preamble of the Declaration, “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”
The Human Rights movement has made great strides in the past seven decades, but abuses still occur with saddening regularity. The anniversary of the Declaration is an opportunity to celebrate successes and recommit ourselves to the principles outlined in the Declaration’s 30 Articles. Over the next year, the UN is exploring how this seminal document has impacted history and changed lives around the globe. The stories of achievements can be found on the website set up for the 70 Years Anniversary – www.humanrights70.org. It is an interesting website that shows instances of applying the 30 articles in different countries of the world.
The global lesson after 70 years is that the Human Rights Declaration empowers all of us to stand up for our own human rights and those of others every day.
Let us listen to our guest speaker as she sheds more light on this subject. She is Mrs. Nnenna Igbokwe, Secretary of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Rivers State. Please enjoy the episode.
Our amiable Rivers People, please remember to always let your manners speak for you.
God bless and keep you and your families and God bless Rivers State.
From Her Excellency,
Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,
The Wife of His Excellency,
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON. GSSRS. POS (Africa).
You can also listen to and download the Pidgin English version of this Episode below