Shun crimes, defend your rights; NHRC Urges Youths

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Tuesday, enjoined the youths of Nigeria to stay off crimes, but defend their rights for the development of the nation.

The UN had set aside December 10 of every year as the International Day for Human Rights.

This year’s theme is: “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights.’’

The commission made the appeal on Tuesday in Lagos as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark

Making the appeal AT the 2019 International Day for Human Rights, the South-West Commander, NHRC, Mr Lucas Koyejo, noted that many youths were into various crimes.

He urged them to be more active and vocal in promoting whatever concerns the nation, saying that no one would step down for them to occupy leadership.

The commander speaking on the theme of this year said that the UN picked it to draw the attention of the youth to their responsibilities and the need for others to support them.

Koyejo said, “The UN knows that the youth are the future leaders of the world.

“Unfortunately, some youths in present-day Nigeria are not as proactive as youths of old.

“A lot of our youths are not interested in their rights or government policies that will affect their future.

“The youth need to be interested in governance. That is the difference. Nobody will be discriminated against because the future belongs to them.

“They must stand up for their rights,” he said.

Also speaking, a human rights lawyer and a Civil Society leader, Mr Malachy Ugwummadu, expatiated on the roles played by youth in promoting human rights and peace.

According to him, Nigerian youths have the population to make the needed positive changes.

Ugwummadu, who described the youth population in Nigeria as a “critical mass” for a change, called on them to be knowledgeable about their rights and the laws of the country.

“We have a law: `Not too young to run’. They must know about it and other laws concerning them.

“One major challenge is the division among the youth. They must be united if they want to bring about any positive change.

“They must network across all ages and genders. They should improve on themselves, and collectively take up national issues,’’ he said.

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