Nigeria backs rule of law and human rights

NIGERIA has undeservedly received a lot of bad press. In defence of this leading developing country, I would like to point out a few facts:

1. Nigeria is a federal democracy.

2. It has an independent judiciary.

3. Sharia (Islamic) laws do not apply throughout the country and the supreme court is not bound by such laws.

4. It has a free press and a vibrant media.

5. There are ethnic and religious tensions and conflicts which the authorities are seeking to resolve through good governance and the rule of law.

6. Nigeria provides peacekeeping initiatives to the west African region (eg, in Sierra Leone).

7. The president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is one of the few African leaders with the moral courage openly to criticise dictator Mugabe for his terrible record in Zimbabwe.

8. Nigeria is playing a leading role in seeking to achieve peace and security for the Darfur region of Sudan.

9. Together with South Africa, it wants a renaissance for Africa by delivering good governance, the rule of law, and upholding human rights.

Nigeria deserves our respect and aid in her efforts to build a better country, region and continent. Those who ought to know better should desist from further impugning its good name.

Dr LF Lacey

South Strand

Skerries

Co Dublin