Of recent, just about few days a go, I was reading an on-line
post wherein some persons were calling for immortalization of the
late football player– Samuel Okwaraji-
and that he was a hero of our nation- Nigeria.
Therefore, that some places should also be named after him so
that he could be immortal in the Nigerian history. I then sat back
and thought that if a footballer could be sought to be
immortalized, how then do we see the case of human rights activists
who are directly rendering services to humanity and breathing the
breath of freedom and comfort in the humanity. To me, I humbly view
that human rights activism is a great sacrifice and that human
rights activists are heroes of this nation to be rather
immortalized even in a higher and greater priority, hence this
paper.
The nature of human rights activism is such that there are lots
of challenges in the path which are enough to discourage one from
the path. Sometimes, one’s financial challenges and those of the
victim (or if in the public interest, which attract no fee at all),
are enough to discourage one from pursuing such goal. A human
rights activist at a time or the other faces a lot of criticism and
name-calling by some critics. Some would speak to intimidate,
threaten, and tarnish his image, etc. In fact, some would call him
a busy-body, intermeddler, etc. Some might even speculate and term
him what he is not. Some might even call you a ‘serial
blackmailer’! But all these are not enough to deter a human
rights activist from the sacrilege path. The human rights activism
is never for satisfaction of personal interest rather the goal is
satisfaction of the interest of the public; justice; national
development; among others for the sake of God Almighty (so, those
who do not know some of these attributes of human rights activism,
pick unnecessary annoyance at any person who is out to sacrifice
his own personal interest for the interest of all humanity). These
are some of the challenges in the path.
In fact, a human rights activist balances the living of man on
earth. Assuming that no one takes up the functions of a human
rights activist, evils might likely be unavoidable on the earth.
Tyranny, abuse of powers, oppression, corruption, etc., would
prevail and so many citizens would become vulnerable and become
victims of violation of human rights. Then, there would be
justification for the oppressed to wage war to resist the
oppressors in such situation. Then, everlasting war would prevail
on the earth. One can tell about the historical wars in Nigeria
where some persons felt that they have either been marginalized or
oppressed, then formed solidarity to resist the oppression. Blood
flowed like a stream; fire and burning everywhere like hell-fire;
human remains everywhere like ants; then, the whole streets, areas,
localities become emptied and dried like desert. Then, some for the
fear of the un-known, commit suicide. Slavery, Rape, torture and
inhuman treatment, tyranny, etc. do not become offences and or
unlawful in these kinds of situations. But what does a human rights
activist do?! He sacrifices his own life, time, energy, enjoyment,
money, etc., to avoid things getting out of hands. Unfortunately,
despite his sacrifices, he is sometimes mistaken, misrepresented
and not even appreciated! He is not even recognised as a hero of
the nation! Despite all these situations, those challenges are not
enough to discourage a human rights activist. So, soon or later,
where a human rights activist remains undeterred, he would be
recognised by history for his sacrifices, that I believe!. More so
that the goal of the activism is not for winning an award, rather
to impact in the life of humanity. So, the path of a human rights
activist is, many times, a rough, tough, and full of
sacrifices.
Furthermore, as a lawyer, being a human rights activist is
necessary and important. More so, being legally equipped as a legal
practitioner, gives more value to the task. Young lawyers who
engage in human rights activism would do well and have more
achievements to themselves in the nearest future.
Also important to say is that as a human rights activist, God
Almighty is his weapon always against all forces and evil eyes.
Enemies abound from all corners, but with God Almighty, he would
conquer and arrive itch-free and peacefully. God Almighty is the
Most-Powerful; Most-Beneficent; the Most-Merciful; the
Omni-present; the Omni-science; the Alpha and the Omega.
So, considering several other advantages and benefits of being a
human rights activist, it is suitable for me to say that I am very
proud to be a human rights activist! It is an unquenchable passion!
I am a God’s missionary and His Vicegerent on earth!
We all recall a line of the first stanza of the Nigerian
national anthem which goes thus the labour of our
heroes past, shall never be in vain’! Why then do we
or our government forget the labour invested by the heroic human
rights activists in the nation building?! Gone were those days when
some even sarcastically alleged that ‘the rewards of
teachers lie in the heaven!’. Even teachers are
strongly in opposition to this sarcastic statement and are always
demanding their rewards here on earth even though that they know
definitely that they also have rewards in expectation in heaven!
So, our governments (at all levels of the Federal, State and Local
governments and at all arms of: the Legislative, the Executive and
the Judiciary) should start to recognize the efforts of human
rights activists. It is not too much for awards of various
categories for human rights activists, especially those whose
contributions and or efforts and or achievements in the field of
human rights have distinguished them by their impacts in the lives
of humanity. However, government or individual should not
politicize or influence the recognition for immortality or an
award. This recognition would also encourage more participation in
the services to humanity.
I therefore recommend that human rights activists being heroes
of our great nation, their labour should never be put to be in vain
and so they should be immortalized! Even while they are alive,
issuing awards of recognitions in their personality is not out of
way and immortalizing them after their death is a great effort
either by the government or private individuals in an encouraged
effort!
Finally, I wish to conclude this paper by the apex court’s words
in the case of A.C.N. V I.N.E.C.(2013)13 NWLR (pt.
1370) 161 SC, where the Supreme Court of Nigeria held thus ‘Without
law and its rules regulating the enforcement and enjoyment of
rights under the law, chaos will reign supreme, with every man
pursuing and enjoying his real or perceived rights without regard
to the rights of others, and organised society may come to an
end’.
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