A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, the Initiative for Conciliation and Rights Protection, has urged the federal government to take more significant steps to protect the rights of minority groups across the country.
The coalition also called for inclusive governance, robust legal frameworks, and increased awareness to address the systemic inequalities faced by the groups.
In their separate addresses, Legal and Civil Rights experts Dr Hasan Bala and Nwokolo Neto Geoffrey, both lawyers called attention to the persistent marginalization of minority groups based on ethnicity, religion, gender, and socioeconomic status.
They emphasized that such discrimination not only violates human rights but also hampers Nigeria’s national progress by excluding vital segments of the population from participating in the nation’s development.
The coalition specifically pointed to historical events such as the 2015 Zaria Massacre, often referred to as a genocide, and ongoing ethnic and religious conflicts in Plateau State and southern Kaduna as evidence of the urgent need for action.
Central to their demands was a call for more diverse representation in Nigeria’s political institutions, ensuring that minority voices are heard in the decision-making processes that shape the country.
The coalition also advocated educational reforms to promote understanding and respect for minority rights, starting at the grassroots level in schools, community centres, and through media campaigns.
“Protecting minority groups’ rights is not merely a moral imperative; it is essential for the harmony and development of our nation,” the coalition declared.
They urged Nigerians and the government to work together in creating a more equitable society where every individual, regardless of background, can thrive.
CSOs Urge FG To Safeguard Minority Rights is first published on The Whistler Newspaper