A citizen’s right is a person’s legal status under a particular country. In other words, it is the set of privileges and obligations attached to citizenship.
Citizens have certain rights and responsibilities. This includes the right to vote, hold public office, run for political office, protest, petition, etc.
In Nigeria, citizens are individuals who have certain fundamental rights that are guaranteed by the constitution.
These rights include the right to life, liberty, equality before the law, freedom from slavery, property rights, freedom of movement, privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of occupation, and freedom of choice etc.
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The importance of human rights in Nigeria
Human rights are universal principles that protect people from being harmed by their government or other institutions. They are considered to be natural rights and not privileges granted by governments.
In Nigeria, the constitution guarantees certain basic rights to citizens. However, these rights are often violated due to corruption, poverty, and lack of education.
Several organizations monitor human rights violations in Nigeria. One example is Amnesty International. Amnesty International is a global organization that works to promote human rights around the world.
What are the rights of a citizen in Nigeria?
- Right to life
The right to live means that no person should be deprived of his/her life. This includes the right to have access to medical care, food, water, shelter, education, etc.
- Right to freedom
Freedom means the ability to do what we want without being restrained by others.
- Right to equality
Equality means that everyone has equal opportunities to develop their potential and achieve their goals.
- Right to liberty
This refers to the right to freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention, and imprisonment. It also means the right to move freely around the country without being detained.
- Right to property
Property ownership is a fundamental right that allows individuals to control their own lives and resources. It also gives people the ability to earn an income through work.
What are the 10 basic human rights in Nigeria?
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is a Nigerian governmental agency that monitors and enforces compliance with the constitution.
It is responsible for investigating complaints about violations of human rights. If a violation is discovered, the HRC may recommend that the government take action against those who violated the rights of others.
- Right to life
The right to live is guaranteed under Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This means that everyone has the fundamental right to live free from fear, want, and violence.
- Right to freedom
Freedom is a natural right that belongs to each person. In addition, it is a positive obligation of states to respect this right. Freedom can only be achieved through the protection of people against any form of interference.
- Right to liberty
“Liberty refers to the ability to act according to one’s wishes. It is the opposite of slavery, where individuals do not have control over their actions.
- Right to property
“Property is defined as anything that can be owned or controlled. Property rights are the legal rights given to individuals or groups to own or control certain things.
- Freedom of speech
Freedom of Speech is guaranteed under Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. This means that everyone has the right to freely express his/her opinion without interference from any person or authority.
- Right to a fair trial
The right to a fair trial is guaranteed under Article 14(5) of the Nigerian constitution, which states that “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile.”
- Right to Freedom of Movement:
This right means that you have the right to move freely from one place to another without being detained or arrested. You can’t be forced to stay where you are against your will unless there’s a valid reason for doing so.
- Right to Freedom of Religion
This right means that no one should interfere with your beliefs and practices if they don’t affect others. No one has the right to force their religious views on you.
- Right to Privacy
This right states that others may not observe or listen to what you do or say without your permission. They cannot search through your things or follow you around without your permission.
- Freedom of Association
This right means that everyone has the right to join groups and organizations. If you want to start a group, you don’t need to get approval from the government first.
Can you have rights without responsibilities?
You can have rights without responsibilities. When you make a decision, you need to think about the consequences before acting. You need to consider the impact your choice will have on other people. You need to weigh the pros and cons of your decision.
What responsibilities come with your rights as a citizen?
- Voting
Voting is a right that we have been given by our government. We are allowed to vote for who we want to represent us in their position. This includes voting for a president, vice president, senators, representatives, mayors, city council members, school board members, etc.
- Free Speech
We live in a country where we are free to speak our mind without any consequences. When people disagree with what you say, they may call you names or tell you how stupid you sound.
They might even threaten you or try to hurt you just for expressing your opinion. That’s not freedom. Freedom means being able to speak your mind without fear of persecution.
- Religion
Religion has always played a big role in society. However, religion shouldn’t affect your rights as a citizen. You should be able to practice whatever religion you choose, no matter what others think about it.
What it means to be a responsible citizen
- Be informed
Knowledge is power. If you are aware of what your government is doing, then you can make better decisions about how to vote. You should always have access to information that allows you to make educated decisions about your community.
- Be active
If you want to change something, you need to get involved. Get out and volunteer at your local school, hospital, library, or any other organization that needs help. By volunteering, you not only give back to your community, but you also learn skills that you can use later in life.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_rights
https://www.civiced.org/lessons/what-responsibilities-accompany-our-rights
