The Public Administration and Social Development Consult, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has called for stakeholders’ collective efforts in enhancing social justice.
The organisation noted that the slow justice system had impeded social justice delivery.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Consult Mrs Margaret Ibeku made the call at a briefing in Abuja ahead of the social justice conference and awards scheduled for October 27 this year.
Ibeku, who is the Chairperson of the National Steering Committee of the Social Justice Conference and Awards, identified lack of awareness and slow dispensation of justice as some of the major factors affecting Nigeria’s social justice system.
She said: “One of the first challenges of social justice in Nigeria is awareness.
“Most Nigerians don’t even know some of the 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.”
Ibeku stated that the organisation was partnering with the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to organise the maiden Social Justice Conference and Award.
She also said the maiden event was aimed at promoting awareness of citizens’ rights, identifying the vacuum and bridging the gap to promote the Nigerian social justice system, adding that the conference also covered issues of oil and gas, internally displaced persons, housing sector and other sectors of the economy.
“This conference will bring together the academia, technocrats, civil society, public servants, interest groups, students, cultural interest and religious groups, researchers and private organisations to interact and x-ray topical issues that border on social justice and good governance,” she said.
She said while the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu would present 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 the government and other stakeholders to promote social justice in Nigeria.
Ibeku said highlights of the occasion would include the presentation of awards to ministries, departments and agencies of government, private organisations and individuals who had put in so much into delivering social justice in Nigeria.
Ibeku urged Nigerians to visit its website www.socialjusticeaward.com to nominate recipients for various categories of awards.