Do Well In Power, I Support You But Do Otherwise, I Engage You: The Bases Of An Activist’s Agenda For Social Justice By Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq.

I have observed the roles and or modes of operation of some human rights organisations by whatever name that they might be identified, as some of them are actually without practical human rights agenda.

Some have placed themselves in such a way that they have lost public’s trust because of the modes of their operation. Much more is where the activist has to challenge a government in power. Many of the times, some of these activists are seen to operate without focus or agenda for what they say that they stand for i.e. social justice, though, there are those activists who stand to the practical agenda or focus of what human rights activism should be.

I am very proud to always place myself and associate myself with this kind of activists and activism. It is not a pride rather the truth! I am one of the Vicegerent of God Almighty on earth! This paper aims at setting these agenda or focuses for some of these activists who operate for personal reasons or agenda such as: accessing funds for personal interest; being used by political individuals to achieve political aims, etc. In fact, it has become very difficult to reserve a name for the purpose of establishing a Non-Governmental Organisation at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on my personal experience! Suggest twenty names and you would be surprised that those names are already in existence! But whether they were actually established genuinely with good intention is another thing!

In my humble view, every activist should be always ready not to be engaged in partisan-politics. They should remain neutral. They should always support government where the government in power is doing well and to engage such government in accordance with the law where such government does in disappointment of its manifestoes or promises to the people. It is no doubt that government cannot all do evil. So, there is need for appreciation of the few that the government does that are good while there is need for constructive criticism of others that the government has failed and or neglected to perform. This is a way of ensuring social justice and public good.

I have said it and will still say it here on the nature of a human rights activist that it is the role of a human rights activist to ensure a balanced civil society. In fact, a human rights activist balances the living of man on earth. Assuming that no one takes up the functions of human rights activist, evils might likely be unavoidable on the earth. Tyranny, abuse of powers, oppression, corruption, etc., would prevail and so many citizens would become vulnerable and become victims of violation of human rights. Then, there would be justification for the oppressed to wage war to resist the oppressors in such situation. Then, everlasting war would prevail on the earth. One can tell about the historical wars in Nigeria where some persons felt that they have either been marginalized or oppressed, then formed solidarity to resist the oppression. Blood flowed like a stream; fire and burning everywhere like hell-fire; human remains everywhere like ants; then, the whole streets, areas, localities become emptied and dried like desert. Then, some for the fear of the un-known, commit suicide.

Slavery, Rape, torture and inhuman treatment, tyranny, etc. do not become offences and or unlawful in these kinds of situations. But what does a human rights activist do?! He sacrifices his own life, time, energy, enjoyment, money, etc., to avoid things getting out of hands. Unfortunately, despite his sacrifices, he is sometimes mistaken, misrepresented and not even appreciated! He is not even recognised as a hero of the nation! Despite all these situations, those challenges are not enough to discourage a human rights activist. So, soon or later, where a human rights activist remains undeterred, he would be recognised by history for his sacrifices, that I believe!. More so that the goal of the activism is not for winning an award rather to impact in the life of humanity. So, the path of a human rights activist is, many times, a rough, tough, and full of sacrifices. Nevertheless the path of a true activist, such roles must be carried out to achieve the result expected. The agenda and or vision and the mission must be channelled towards social justice. That is, in the interest of what would be of benefit to the society and the people in the society. Such an activist must ensure that there is no room for selfish individuals in government who would acquire all the wealth in the public funds towards personal interests.

Activists must follow government’s policies, programmes, agenda, proposals, budgets, etc. in such a way that they reflect societal benefits. Much more necessary is the fact that the word ‘Democracy’ according to President Abraham Lincoln, the then President of the United States of America, is ‘a government of the people, by the people and for the people’. In other words, ‘Democracy’ is: (i) a government made up of the generality or representatives of the people; (ii) a government formed and installed by the people; and (iii) a government that exists for the welfare of the people’. See: Ese Malemi, The Nigerian Constitutional Law, Princeton Publication Co., Ikeje, Lagos, Nigeria, First Edition, 2006, page: 30.

So, a government which is a representative/democratic government must reflect the interest of those that it represents in power. Activists must also sensitise the public about their rights from their government i.e. what the law compels and or expects a good government to do for its people. They must be made to wake up from their slumber! They must be sensitised to wake up from their ignorance. Then, they would know what belongs to them in governance and be able to know how and where to seek their rights in case of any alleged breach of their rights. Also, activists must ensure that government’s projects and contracts are awarded in the best interest of the society. So, government must also be held accountable financially, politically, socially, etc, to its people who have placed their trusts in such government by electing it into power in order to better the affairs of their society.

Therefore and finally, it is my humble advise that in as much as an activist has the role of checkmating the operation of government to ensure that such government promotes social justice, such an activist also has the role or agenda to always appreciate such government where it performs up to expectations even an act of good performance, should warrant a corresponding appreciation. Thus, government is encouraged thereby. Government here does not only refer to the political government but also including government’s agencies.

Email: hameed_ajibola@yahoo.com