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The Human Right to Development in Nigeria

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The Human Right to Development in Nigeria The Human Right to Development in Nigeria Salim Bashir Magashi Dissertation presented for the Degree of Doctor of Laws in the Faculty of Law at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof. Annika Rudman March 2016 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. March 2016 Copyright © 2016 Stellenbosch University of Stellenbosch All rights reserved i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Summary Africa is desperately in need of development. Several efforts have been employed to deal with underdevelopment issues with little or no successes. At all levels, efforts are being put in place to deal with poverty, hunger, malnutrition, disease and other issues that are connected to development. The situation is worrying and desperately in need of lasting solutions. It is in this regard that the right to development was conceived. The right to development is a right that seeks to make development a human right for all. It is a right that encompasses all categories of rights whether civil, political, economic, social or cultural. Thus, the right to development seeks to combine human rights and development together so that the individual and indeed all peoples may participate in, contribute to and enjoy development. The right to development is being supported at international and African regional levels. Although the right is enmeshed in ideological skirmishes between the developed countries of the world and developing ones, efforts to make it acceptable are still ongoing. Examples of such efforts include the Sustainable Development Goals, the Millennium Development Goals, and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development amongst others. Therefore, I examine the role of the right to development as a tool for genuine human development in Africa and specifically for Nigeria. I analyse the legal character of the right from an international, regional and domestic legal perspectives. In this dissertation, I argue that the right to development is a human right capable of enforcement in Nigeria. Its enforceability is found within the Nigerian legal system through international and domestic legal arrangements. In addition to international obligations, the constitution, other pieces of domestic legislation as well as the domesticated treaties strengthen the case for the enforceability of the right in Nigeria. Similarly the dissertation notes that aside from justiciability of the right before courts, good governance, legislative and development planning approaches can aid the effective realisation of this right. On the overall, I argue that, the right to development, if effectively implemented, has the potential of dealing with the myriad of development challenges faced in Nigeria and in Africa at large. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Opsomming Afrika het ‘n desperate behoefte aan ontwikkeling. Verskeie pogings is reeds gemaak om kwessies van onderontwikkeling te hanteer, maar met min of geen sukses nie. Op all vlakke word pogings ingestel om kwessies soos armoede, honger, wanvoeding, siekte en ander wat met ontwikkeling te doen het, te hanteer. Die situasie is kommerwekkend en daar is ‘n desperate behoefte aan blywende oplossings. Dit is in hierdie opsig wat die reg op ontwikkeling tot stand gekom het. Die reg op ontwikkeling is ‘n reg wat poog om ontwikkeling ‘n mensereg vir almal te maak. Dit is ‘n reg wat al die kategorieë van regte insluit, hetsy burgerlike, politiese, sosiale of kulturele. Die reg op ontwikkeling poog dus om menseregte en ontwikkeling te kombineer sodat die individu, en trouens all mense, aan ontwikkeling mag deelneem, daartoe bydra en dit geniet. Die reg op ontwikkeling word internasionaal and op die streekvlak van Afrika ondersteun. Hoewel die reg vasgewikkel is in ideologiese skermutselings tussen die ontwikkelde lande van die wêreld and die ontwikkelende lande, is daar voortgesette pogings om dit aanvaarbaar te maak. Voorbeelde van sulke pogings sluit in die Volhoubare Ontwikkelingsdoelwitte (Sustainable Development Goals), die Millennium Ontwikkelingsdoelwitte, en die Nuwe Vennootskap vir die Ontwikkeling van Afrika (New Partnership for Africa’s Development). Ek ondersoek dus die rol van die reg op ontwikkeling as ‘n egte instrument vir werklike menslike ontwikkeling in Afrika, en veral in Nigerië. Ek analiseer die wetlike karakter van die reg vanuit internasionale, streeks- en binnelandse perspektiewe. In hierdie proefskrif argumenteer ek dat die reg op ontwikkeling ‘n mensereg is wat in Nigerië afgedwing kan word. Die afdwingbaarheid daarvan berus in die Nigeriese regstelsel op grond van internasionale en binnelandse wetlike skikkings. Benewens die internasionale verpligtinge, versterk die grondwet, ander stukke binnelandse wetgewing sowel as ingeburgerde verdrae die afdwingbaarheid van die reg in Nigerië. Eweneens wys die proefskrif daarop dat, buiten die beregbaarheid van die reg voor die howe, goeie bestuur en beheer and wetlike en ontwikkelingsbeplanningsbenaderings tot die doeltreffende totstandkoming van hierdie reg kan bydra. Oor die algemeen argumenteer ek dat indien die reg op ontwikkeling doeltreffend geïmplementeer word, dit die potensiaal het om te handel met die magdom ontwikkelingsuitdagings wat Nigerië, en Afrika oor die algemeen, in die gesig staar. iii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgments To begin with, I thank my promoter, Professor Annika Rudman, for the confidence she has reposed in me from the beginning to the end of this remarkable academic experience. She has been a strong pillar in realising this feat. I am indeed appreciative of every support she has rendered throughout our journey together. Her patience, painstakingness and meticulousness have been terrific and will never be forgotten. My sincere gratitude also goes to my Mum and Dad for everything they have been doing to make me a better person. Umma and Daddy, Allah will continue to guide you both to the straight path until you secure your rightful place in Aljannatul firdaus. I wish to thank my dear wife Sa’ada, for her unwavering support. She has indeed remained a “partner” in progress. My Love will always be with you and our wonderful Aisha and Ahmad as Allah keeps you blessed for me forever In Sha Allah. I equally extend my sincere appreciation to my brothers, Baffa, Mustapha, Sadiq, and sisters, Mardiyya and Hauwa (Baby) as well as our uncle, Baba Abba. Nagode! I appreciate Barrister Muhammad Bello (Sultan) for his valuable contribution and criticism of my initial drafts. Baba (Engr.) Isah Hamza, Hafiz Aminu Umar, Lawal Umar Faragai (Chiroman Faragai), Ahmed Aminu Kano, Dr. Shuaibu M. Bala, AA Khaleed, Aliyu Mustapha (Alindudu), Hon. Ahmed Adamu (Alcane), Barristers. Umar Y. Hassan Dukku (Jajin Dukku) Usman Bappah Darazo and Dahiru M. Sani, Bashir Chalawa amongst others are also acknowledged for their fellowship. I also thank Barristers Umar Sani Bebeji and Hassan Bala for handling my affairs in the office during my absence. I also acknowledge Professor Yusuf Dankofa for introducing me into the world of academic intellectualism. Ahmadu Bello University is also hereby acknowledged especially the Head of the Department of Public Law (Dr KM Danladi) and other Faculty of Law staff. Specifically, I appreciate Professor MT Ladan for his advice and support. I appreciate everyone everywhere that took part in this remarkable journey. To you all I say: Jazakallahu Khair! Finally, I acknowledge that victory is from Allah Alone! Without Allah’s Blessings this journey may never be accomplished. Oh Allah, I remain grateful to You for making it possible. I rely on you to bless it. May Your love and Mercies continue to be showered upon Your Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). iv Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the glory of Allah and to the entire families of Malam Salihi and Alkali Hamza Muhammad (all of blessed memory). v Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Table of contents Declaration ............................................................................................................................ i Summary ............................................................................................................................. ii Opsomming ........................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................... iv Dedication ............................................................................................................................ v Table of contents ................................................................................................................ vi List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................ x Chapter 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 1 1 Background to the study ...............................................................................................
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