A Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO),  Public Administration and Social Development Consult,  has called for collective efforts of stakeholders in enhancing social justice in the country.
Chief Executive Officer of the Consult, Mrs Margaret Ibeku, made the call at a news conference in Abuja, at the Weekend.
Ibeku, who noted that the organization was committed to social justice, identified lack of awareness and slow dispensation of justice as some of the major factors affecting Nigeria’s social justice system.
“One of the first challenges of social justice in Nigeria is awareness.
“Most Nigerians don’t even know organisations to go to for redress if there is any infringement on their rights or they are lagging in the opportunities that ought to be available to them.
“Slow justice system has made it seem to be that offenders who infringed on the rights of the common man did not have consequences for their actions,” Ibeku said.
She stated that in the light of the above, the organisation would partner with the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to organise a maiden “Social Justice Conference and Award” event on October 27 in Abuja.
Ibeku, who is the Chairperson of the National Steering Committee of the Social Justice Conference and Awards, said the maiden event was aimed at promoting awareness on citizens’ rights, identifying vacuum and bridging the gap to promote Nigerian social justice system,
“This conference will bring together academia, technocrats, civil society, public servants, interest group, students, cultural interests and religious groups, researchers and private organizations to interact and x-ray topical issues that borders on Social Justice and Good Governance”, she said.
Ibeku continued that the conference also covers issues of oil and gas, Internally displaced persons, housing sector and so many other sectors of the economy.
She said while the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, would be presenting a keynote address at the conference, other stakeholders, including politicians, would be invited for discussion on the 2023 general elections.
She said the body would thereafter present its white paper on recommendations to government and other stakeholders to promote social justice in Nigeria.
Ibeku said highlights of the occasion would include presentation of awards to Ministries, Agencies and Departments of government, private organisations, and individuals who had put in so much into delivering social justice in Nigeria.
She urged Nigerians to visit its website www.socialjusticeaward.com to nominate recipients for various categories of awards to be given on that day.
“We are aware that some individuals, organizations, with or without support, have been trying their best in social justice, human rights, fairness and equity.
“These bodies will be recognised and it is going to be a very transparent process.
“We are calling on all Nigerians to be a part of recognising these individuals and celebrating them in the way to encourage them to do better”, she concluded.