AN ANALYSIS OF HUMAN RIGHTS, HUMAN DIGNITY AND PARADIGM SHIFT IN NIGERIA

This paper is an attempt to examine human rights, human dignity and the paradigm shift in Nigeria. As we all know, the world today, has accepted the notion that all human beings are entitled to and are empowered for a dignified existence. It is a common phenomenon that human beings everywhere, demand the realization of diverse values to ensure their individual and collective well-being. However, these demands or rights are denied through exploitation, oppression, persecution, etc, in many countries of the world. Today it has become an almost universally recognized and accepted concept that individuals possess certain definite political, civil, economic and social rights which governments have the duty and responsibility of protecting and enforcing such rights. The concept of Human Rights cannot be taken away from man because these are rights to which we are entitled because we are human. As such every man is entitled to such rights and cannot be eroded by another. In Nigeria, the human dignity and human rights seems to be a case, where Human rights are not respected. Extra-judicial killing, unlawful detention, and other series of human rights abuses are still prevalent in Nigeria society. In addition, Fundamental rights are those species of human rights which have been recognized and incorporated into the constitution of any nation. So rule of law means that everybody no matter your position is under the law, that is, the law is supreme. Not only that the law is supreme, it is also its duty through justice system and other government agencies to protect the rights and dignity of human person. The methodology used in this study was a desk based library method where the knowledge gained from various literatures as well as conceptual, theoretical, and empirical studies reviewed formed the basis for conclusion and recommendations.