Rights Conversations: Recent Episodes
PLAC
Rights Conversations is a Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) podcast series dedicated to enlightening people on all they need to know about human rights and how integral they are to all spheres of human life. This will range from basic discussions on the definition of human rights and the types of rights that exist, protection of rights, to more specific issues of human rights violations and how to seek redress. Rights Conversations will also feature developing human rights trends in Nigeria and around the world.
The seventh episode of PLAC's Rights Conversations features Oluwafunke Adeoye, Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars, discussing the topic, 'Improving Access to Criminal Justice in Nigeria.' She dissects Nigeria's criminal justice system including the legal framework of fundamental human rights, effectiveness of Legal Aid and the need for reform of Nigerian custodial centres. In addition, she speaks on the incidence of police brutality and measures to enhance access to criminal justice in Nigeria, including the role of the judiciary.
Hope Behind Bars Africa is a non-profit organisation working to galvanise change in Nigeria's criminal justice system using data, technology adoption and policy advocacy.
The sixth episode of PLAC’s Rights Conversations features Priscilla Achakpa, Executive Director of Women Environmental Programme (WEP) Nigeria, discussing the topic, ‘Examining Environmental Protection in Nigeria’. She delves into the effects of global warming and climate change in Nigeria and the impact of these on the rights of individuals; the effectiveness of legal instruments, including the Climate Change Act on environmental protection. She also discusses the role of government and civil society in addressing environmental challenges.
Priscilla has served as Special Adviser to Amina Mohammed, a former Minister of Environment in Nigeria and the current Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations. She also represents Nigeria in several international fora on environmental issues.
As the 9th Assembly winds down, the focus and attention of Nigerians is now drawn to the 10th Assembly.
It is important to x-ray the performance of the outgoing assembly while also giving an insight into what the legislative agenda could be for the incoming assembly.
In this podcast, Dr Otive Igbuzor shares his opinion on the performance of the 9th Assembly and Agenda setting for the 10th Assembly
In the fourth episode of Rights Conversations, Agba Jalingo, Publisher of Cross River Watch speaks on what the Freedom of Expression and Rights of Journalists entail. Jalingo has dedicated his journalism career to holding government officials to account. He details his experiences in the course of his work, particularly the high incidence of arrests and detention he has suffered in the hands States forces controlled by public officials who are the focus of his criticism and demand for accountability. Jalingo is dedicated to remaining on this path against all odds, in order to promote democratic and transparent governance in Nigeria.
In the third episode of Rights Conversations, gender rights activist and Secretary General at Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Saudatu Mahdi, MFR speaks on Gender Rights Protection in Nigeria. The conversation delves into the subject of gender and the essence of protecting persons who are vulnerable by reason of their biological identity and the roles assigned to them by societal standards and values. It also explores the concept of gender equality and factors that give rise to gender-based discrimination. Mahdi discusses the reality of pursuing justice for victims of gender-based violations and the struggles encountered in advocating for the enactment of gender rights protection laws.
Saudatu Mahdi, MFR is the Secretary General at WRAPA. WRAPA works to advance and protect the rights of women as provided by relevant laws, policies and treaties, through an approach that entrenches respect for the human dignity and inclusion of women in decisions that affect them and their community.
The second episode of PLAC’s podcast series, Rights Conversations is out! In this episode, social and economic rights expert and Executive Director of Center for Social Justice (CENSOJ), Eze Onyekpere provides insight into the subject of socio-economic rights. He discusses Nigerian laws and international instruments that guarantee this set of rights. The episode further explores the factors that affect citizens’ quality of life within the Nigerian context, as well as the responsibility of the government to drive policies that ensure that its citizens have access to the best quality of life possible. Onyekpere encourages Nigerians to persevere in their struggle to ensure the protection of their rights.
In this episode, human rights expert, Abiodun Baiyewu discusses the meaning of human rights, as well as Nigerian laws and international instruments that guarantee human rights. She also discusses various categories of rights and the state of human rights protection in Nigeria. This episode further explores the nature and extent of the rights provided in Chapter 2 and Chapter 4 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. Baiyewu calls people to rise to the responsibility of recognising and respecting the rights of others before demanding government’s protection of human rights.
Abiodun Baiyewu is the Executive Director of Global Rights Nigeria. Global Rights is an international human rights organisation, building the capacity of underserved communities in Nigeria for participatory governance. Global Rights works to achieve the protection, promotion and fulfillment of human rights through good governance.
Welcome to Rights Conversations! This is a Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) Podcast Series dedicated to discussing the issues of human rights.
Music by Coma-Media from Pixabay