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“Human Rights Is Nothing To Celebrate In Nigeria” – Banky W

By Akinwale Akinyoade

11 December 2019   |   11:17 am

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Respected Nigerian musician cum politician in an Instagram post on his page today has called on Nigerians to take action on the issues bedevilling the country. The EME boss who cited issues like gender inequality, gender-based violence, human rights abuse, social media bill among others urged Nigerians to ensure that they do something in their…

Banky W

Respected Nigerian musician cum politician in an Instagram post on his page today has called on Nigerians to take action on the issues bedevilling the country.

The EME boss who cited issues like gender inequality, gender-based violence, human rights abuse, social media bill among others urged Nigerians to ensure that they do something in their own way to put an end these persistent issues.

In his post, he revealed that he has been working with the European Union and the British Council on a campaign – “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Assault”, which he said came to a close yesterday, December 10 that happens to be International Human Rights Day.

According to him, Nigeria is currently saddled with the burden of the abuse of human rights and he used the case of the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters who was re-arrested less than 24 hours after he was granted bail with the arrest taking place in a court of law.

He further cites the example of a publisher, Abba Jalingo who he says is still locked up for criticising a governor. Sahara reporters have had their Nigerian bank accounts frozen with no explanation, and assets seized.

Banky W also touches on the issue of gender equality stating that “the Gender Equality bill did not make it past a 2nd reading before being shut down in the National Assembly. And yet the social media bill is on its way to a 3rd.”

He is of the opinion that the push for the passage of the social media bill into law is s that the people can be prevented from speaking up about against bad governance.

His post reads in part:

“There is a very obvious, blatant assault on free speech and the freedom of expression going on right before our eyes. There is an emergency when it comes to the treatment of women and children.. when Senators are allowed to marry teenagers and physically assault women… when 1 in 4 girls in Nigeria are victims of sexual assault – the youngest patient of the Mirabelle Center is a 3 month old girl, the oldest is an 80 something-year-old, Grandma.

When it comes to Human Rights in Nigeria.. there is nothing to celebrate, there’s just a whole lot of work to do. We must all do something. Maybe u can call/email your Senators and Reps? Maybe we can all can post online and get the attention of International News Media so that they can join us in pressuring our Government? Maybe U can volunteer/donate to a Sexual Assault Referral Center? Just do something. Anything.”

This is not the first time the entertainer is speaking up and encouraging the people to take action. He was one of the many Nigerian celebrities that called for justice when an innocent Nigerian citizen, Kolade Johnson was killed by a SARS operative.