Falana Insists Peace Cannot Exist Without Food, Jobs and Healthcare

By Diafa Doubra,

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has warned that Nigeria will continue to struggle with insecurity and unrest unless the socio-economic rights of citizens are made enforceable.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Enugu, Falana argued that rights to food, education, healthcare, and housing should not remain “mere promises on paper.” According to him, genuine peace and national stability depend on the government’s ability to guarantee these essentials of life.

He stressed that many of the challenges facing the country ranging from hunger and unemployment to poor access to healthcare are directly linked to the failure to protect citizens’ welfare as a constitutional obligation. Falana urged lawmakers to review Nigeria’s laws so that these rights can be enforced in court, ensuring government accountability.

The legal luminary concluded that until Nigerians can secure food on their tables, jobs for their families, and access to quality healthcare, no amount of military strength or policing will guarantee peace.