#APostADay Day 5 – Nigeria: The Dignity of Humanity

…that all may be treated with the dignity of humanity…

Contemporary Nigerian society appears to be chaotic. Citizens believe it’s a dog-eat-dog world. A common mantra amongst Nigerians is ‘this life na OYO (On Your Own)’. So, we go on as best we can, minding our own businesses, fighting against attempts to derail us.

Sometimes we hear Ah Ah! I’m a human being not an animal. Treat me with some respect at least. We see such situations occur mostly among the intellectual elite. These same people however do not care to treat other humans with the same dignity they demand.

Earlier this year, while still in school, I boarded a taxi from my apartment to the campus. While on the way, I saw a street hawker selling the popular ‘Gala’ sausage roll. The minibus in front of my taxi had someone making a purchase. Traffic was free and the bus driver was flowing with it. This made the hawker to run after the vehicle, losing his slippers in the process. He also had to drop the rest of his goods, and dropped some currency notes while in pursuit of the customer. All this was for a pittance of 100naira. His profit on that could not be more than 20naira even.

Observing that made me sad. This was a human being made to behave like an animal for a pittance. _What ever happened to dignity of labour? Or is it something we reserve for those in and above our social classes? _

Week in, week out, we see reports in the media of housemaids and the likes being abused by their bosses. Many are accused of absurd crimes and are not given a chance to defend themselves. We also hear of mob violence being meted out on humans. The mob fueled by transferred aggression: aggression from poverty, from previous abuse they suffered etc.

What is Human Dignity in Nigeria?

I ask this question because as society differs, so also do our values. The United Nations acts as arbiters for Human Rights and many countries, including Nigeria, are signatories to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. You can read through this, and decide on what you believe are human rights.

When you’re done, look inward and check if you treat others with the same standards you desire.

Aside: Many times, the Nigerian Armed Forces and Police Force have come under fire by countries and organisations for Human Rights Violations. Though I do not discount the validity of these claims, I do not ascribe to the politicisation of them. The same countries, not organisations, who cry for such now, were silent on violations amongst the people in the Niger Delta. Perhaps because it benefited them then. We can’t continually shout human rights violations when we suffer it, but justify it when others suffer it. It would be acting out like _All animals are equal but some are more equal than others _

Thoughts

Nigerian society, being comprised of many different sub-societies, poses a unique challenge where human dignity and human rights is concerned. We have the traditional Social Caste systems in some parts, the Autonomous system in some other parts and many more. I am no expert on sociology.

Some parts of our traditional culture contravene the Human Rights Declaration. Many are sure to stand against its application. Of course the benefactors of the status quo would. As individuals, I believe in the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

So, next time in traffic, spare some thought to the hawker. Next time with your maid, consider yourself in her place. Next time you are tempted to bully someone, consider being bullied. This is a first step towards our changing for the better.

As always, I’d love your thoughts and comments. I’m on Twitter: @ATamsSokari.