Grassroots knowledge of the Constitution will solve Nigeria’s problems… Ade Ipaye
The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye has said that grassroots knowledge of the constitution at a very early stage in life will solve some Nigeria’s critical national problems.
Ipaye made this observation while giving the Key note speech at the opening ceremony of the first National competition on the Constitution of Nigeria for schools (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions), tagged “We the young People Constitution challenge”, held Last Thursday at the Julius Berger Hall of the University of Lagos.
The Attorney General of Lagos State who addressed an audience of law students, legal practitioners, educationists, members of various professional bodies, non-governmental agencies, officers of the National Human Rights Commission, the National Association for the Blind and Students from various schools across the state, commended the effort of the organisers, explaining that the focus was on young adults who though not ignorant of their rights needed further enlightenment on the development of law and their rights as citizens.
He said, “It is important for you to be familiar with the provisions of the constitution and to know your rights. But above all, we must insist on good governance,” he told the students.
Ipaye who gave the young ones a brief talk on the history of the Nigerian Constitution and its basic provisions, explained that the Constitution was the grundnorm of Nigeria and thus, the fundamental law in the country.
“When you are armed with a knowledge of the Constitution, then you can boast of knowing the laws of your nation. You do not have to know every single section but knowing the basics, is quite sufficient for you”.
The competition is a research-driven initiative, aimed at raising a generation of Nigerians who know, own and engage in the foundational standards of their nation at the reflex or default level; our own definition of integrity.
The programme is designed to empower young Nigerians, especially at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels through essay, debate, quiz, short stories/scripts, visual arts, music and drama competitions themed around the principles, tenets, rules and framework of the Nigerian Constitution.
The competition being a component of other Constitutional Literacy Platforms is further designed to give back ownership of Nigeria to Nigerians on the streets, families, schools, market places and faith centers.
Other programmes under this project include: The annual Constitution week which comes up before 1st October and allows leaders of the Executive, Legislative, Judicial arms and corporate/non-profit organisations teach the Constitution in classrooms. Also, the annual Constitution and Young People Summit/Awards in October where justice, policy and business sector leaders creatively engage young people in various current themes of a constitution driven society and finally, LawNigeria.com- A project which is delivering legal and economic electronic standards to Nigerians through online and offline platforms.
The opening speech by Iyadunni Olubode, Executive Director of LEAP AFRICA (Leadership Effectiveness Accountability Professionalism), encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunity given to them and to know their constitution. She said, “I am glad to be here today because LEAP AFRICA is bent on adding value to the lives of young people in Africa and the world at large and this forum is another platform to transform the lives of the young ones for good as it would help them understand the law and the constitution of Nigeria, to bring the constitution to the streets, the market women and the youths”.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, represented by Mrs. Akin also spoke to the young ones on the constitution of Nigeria “To a large extent,” she said. “Tthe values we inculcate in these children today is what they become tomorrow. This would help stimulate their interest in the legal profession and in the affairs of their country because they are the future of Nigeria”.
The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Lagos state, represented by Mrs. Idris, said, “It is time to introduce the Constitution of Nigeria to the classroom and lecture rooms. What better way is there to solve national problems than to bring the Constitution to the classrooms, to be imprinted in the minds of the young ones who would become the leaders of tomorrow?” She went ahead saying, “I can say this without fear-majority of adults and literates are ignorant of their rights in the constitution. Another thing to be addressed is the notion about the Constitution being for lawyers alone, which needs to be erased from the minds of Nigerians, that era, needs to stop!”
The Special Adviser for Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga focused on Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria-The Fundamental Human Rights of the Constitution. He implored the students to be conversant with the provisions of the Constitution not only for the benefits of their rights but also, in moving the country forward. He made a promise to visit schools the schools present at the occasion that had no library facilities in their respective schools.
Mrs. Ngozi Ekwerike-Okoro, National Coordinator of the Child to Child Network (Child Protection Network Lagos State), had this to say to the youths and the children in particular, “While studying the Constitution, you should also study the Child Rights Act”.
She lamented the carelessness of parents this days saying, “Everyday, we see cases of rape in the newspapers, television, internet of which 90% of these victims are children. Children, please do not expose yourself to danger, learn to protect yourselves. Tell your parents to enroll you in self defence classes, don’t go to anybody’s room at all or alone and if you must, let your parents be aware of your movements. Adolescent girls should dress properly and do not tempt men”. She added, ”Please ensure that all you’ve heard today sticks. Don’t just hear and remain silent, educate your peers”.
Adekunbi Wuraola, Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, stressed on the need to know one’s right and stand up for it. Hear her, “If you don’t know your rights or stand up for it, nobody will do it for you. You don’t have to be a freedom fighter but mere knowledge of your rights is enough for you to stand up for it”. She also encouraged the students to be confident wherever they find themselves, “You are somebody. It doesn’t matter where you live, be it at Victoria Island or Ajegunle”.
Meanwhile, Denrie Ologbenla (PHD Political Science and LLB, BL Law) who represented the Dean of Social Sciences, University of Lagos-Prof. O. Soyombo, had a different angle of viewing the Constitution and wanted the youths to be aware of this fact. He said, “Our Constitution is very weak in terms of enforcement and the most dangerous aspect of our Constitution is the Immunity Clause. What happens when a person in government is responsible for the death of an opposition? The immunity clause covers him until he’s out of office before he can be prosecuted and that’s even rare”.
“Given these realities”, he stressed further, “There’s a need for massive printing and distribution of the Nigerian Constitution to the masses. Under the 1979 Constitution, there was a promise to translate the Constitution to the three major languages but nothing was done”.
He emphasised on the need to translate the Constitution not only in the three major languages (Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba) but in other languages because Nigeria is a country with diverse ethnic groups and to this statement, there was a huge applause and positive reaction from the youths.
At the question and answer segment, Mr. Olaniyan, an official from the National Association for the Blind commended the organizers of the program and the Lagos State Government for being the first to enact Laws identifying and protecting the rights of disabled persons in the state under the Lagos State Special People’s Law (LSSPL).
To answer a few questions asked by the youths, the Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye said, “There should be complete independence of the judiciary. It is the last hope for all other arms of Government. We need a system where the Chief Justice doesn’t have to wait for any or certain approval before justice prevails”.
Judith Amarachi Ugoh