Abuja: Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called for urgent security measures to protect children and citizens in Northern Nigeria. This plea was made during his keynote address at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Human Rights Institute event commemorating the 2025 International Human Rights Day in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, chaired by Justice Muhammad Dattijo JSC (RTD), focused on the theme ‘Human Rights: Our Everyday Essential’ with a sub-theme ‘Security, a Necessity for the Growth of Our Nation, Nigeria.’ Falana emphasized the insufficiency of current efforts to combat terrorism in the North, advocating for increased funding and strategic action. He highlighted the dire situation of schools being shut down, with terrorists and bandits exploiting the situation, and stressed the need for genuine intervention.
Falana also addressed the critical issue of youth unemployment in the North, noting that the majority of Nigeria’s out-of-school children are in the Northern states. He warned that neglecting the education and welfare of these children could lead to severe societal repercussions. Furthermore, he expressed concerns over the misuse of allocated funds and urged the NBA to ensure accountability and monitor fund recovery.
To enhance security for students, Falana proposed relocating some schools to state capitals and strengthening community security in rural areas. He pointed out the logistical challenges in Northern terrains and the technological gaps that hinder adequate security coverage. He welcomed the Federal Government’s approval of funds for satellite facilities to improve security monitoring and called for full support from the government and law enforcement agencies.
Falana underscored the NBA’s role in defending citizens’ rights, referencing constitutional provisions and urging stakeholders to engage with relevant authorities to implement conference resolutions. He recommended that the NBA compile and circulate court decisions to raise awareness about citizens’ rights and ensure compliance by security agencies.
In his welcome address, NBA 1st Vice President Sabastine Anyia emphasized the importance of security as the foundation for human rights, describing them as essential for Nigeria’s growth and development. He highlighted the necessity of human rights as everyday assurances of dignity and the importance of maintaining security to uphold these rights. Anyia warned that insecurity hampers national progress and undermines the realization of human rights.