
Statement issued by Olawale Fapohunda, Attorney- General & Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day December 10, 2018.
It is a privilege for me to issue this statement on behalf of the Ekiti State Government to mark International Human Rights Day 2018.
Today we celebrate International Human Rights Day, which marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). 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.
The 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.
Olawale Fapohunda
Honourable Attorney- General & Commissioner for Justice
Ekiti State
December 10, 2018

