Olawale Fapohunda,
Ekiti State Government, today, celebrates the
International Human Rights Day 2018 which marks the anniversary of
the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR).
In a statement issued by the Attorney- General and Commissioner
for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda, he says that the UDHR recognizes
that freedom, justice and peace can only exist when the inherent
dignity and equal rights of all people are protected and
preserved.
“The Government of Ekiti State is deeply committed to the
promotion and protection of the Rights of all citizens.
“We are committed to establishing a society based on democratic
values and social justice and improving the quality of life of all
citizens.
“We have taken a number of practical steps in this regard since
assuming office. These include:
(1) The enactment of Executive Order 001, which abolishes all
forms of Education Levies in Primary and Secondary Schools in Ekiti
State. This is in furtherance of our commitment to the promotion of
the Right of our citizens to Education.
(2) The State Executive Council approved the enactment of the
Sustainable Development Goals Bill, 2018. This legislation is aimed
at providing an appropriate legal and administrative framework for
poverty alleviation.
(3) Developing policies for improved local and foreign
investment climate that will lead to the creation of more jobs
within the state in line with government’s job creation plan.
(4) The State Government complied with the decision of the
National Human Rights Commission on the reinstatement and payment
of the entitlements of six Permanent Secretaries whose compulsory
retirement from the state civil service in 2014 was found unlawful
and unfair by the Rights Commission.
(5) The State Executive Council at its second sitting approved a
12- Month Activity Plan for the Ministry of Justice. One of the
objectives of this activity plan is the creation of a human rights
system for Ekiti State that will proactively address systemic human
rights issues. This is in furtherance of Mr. Governor’s directive
for a detailed policy and legislative programme to realise the
fundamental rights and freedoms provided for in the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(6) The Ministry of Justice re-opened the Register of Sex
Offenders and reaffirmed governments zero tolerance for all forms
of Violence Against Women and Children.
(7) The realisation of human rights, particularly socio-economic
rights, requires public expenditure to meet basic needs, develop
infrastructure, promote growth and stimulate job creation.
Government is re-prioritising its spending to meet the needs and
aspirations of the majority of our people. Social security
expenditure will now constitute a large percentage of public
expenditure and most of it is targeted at the poor.
(8) Government consciously chose a participatory and
collaborative approach in the 2019 budgetary process. This is to
enable citizens and representatives of civil society participate in
budget making and are informed of the existing economic constraints
that frame the budget.
He further stated that Fayemi administration recognises that
good governance, including the achievement of a transparent,
responsive and accountable government, is crucial to the attainment
of the rights that we celebrate today.
“This is why every effort is being made to strengthen and
reposition state institutions to work in the interest of the people
we serve.
“As we reflect on the significance of international human rights
day, we call on our citizens to embrace the message behind
International Human Rights Day by playing our role in respecting
and protecting the rights of each other remembering that each one
of us is our brothers and sisters keeper,” he said.
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