ICJ, NGE, NUT, SERAP, others insist on free education

By WAHAB  ABDULLAH
LAGOS — The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), INTERIGHTS, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), have sent an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan requesting him to put in place mechanism to ensure the full and effective implementation of the judgment by the ECOWAS Court of Justice on the right of Nigerian children to free, quality and compulsory basic education, within the first 100 days of his new government.

In the letter dated  June1,  2011 and signed on behalf of the groups by SERAP Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, the groups said, “We note that Nigeria has ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. We also note that Nigeria has the resources and capacity to implement the ECOWAS Court judgment on right to education if the government is able to exercise the required political will.

“By fully and effectively implementing the ECOWAS Court judgment, your government will also send a strong message that your government is ready and willing to make substantial investments into the children who are the country’s most valuable resources”, the groups added.

According to the groups, “The implementation of the judgment by your government will be consistent with your very courageous action of signing into law the Freedom of Information Act, and other important initiatives you are taking in support of human rights.

”It will also strengthen your role as the current Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and show good example for states to implement ECOWAS treaties and decisions,” they said.

The groups believed that “by the judgment, your government is required to review the effectiveness of the existing domestic legal and constitutional remedies for the enforcement of the human right to education, and to take steps to address structural or general deficiencies in national law or practice.”

The groups also noted that, “Article 15(4) of the ECOWAS Treaty makes the Judgment of the Court binding on Member States, including Nigeria. Also, Article 19(2) of the 1991 Protocol provides that the decisions of the Court shall be final and immediately enforceable.”

The groups therefore urged President Jonathan to: “Make available funds  that can be used to replace stolen education funds and cater for the children that have been left behind as a result of the corruption in the UBEC

“Work with the anti-corruption agencies to ensure the effective prosecution of those responsible for the theft of the UBEC funds, and the full recovery of stolen funds. Also, promote the expansion of the mandates of the anti-corruption agencies to ensure specific monitoring and transparency spending of education funds”.