The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC), a coalition of civil society organizations yesterday lamented the deteriorating socioeconomic circumstances facing Nigerians.

The NHRC claimed that the nation's progress was being hampered by the incompetence of public officials, the high cost of living, corruption, and insecurity. It also raised alarm at the rising number of individuals who are economically displaced.

At an award ceremony hosted by the NHRC in Lagos to commemorate Nigerians who made contributions to the fight for democracy, Mr. Taiwo Adeleye spoke on behalf of the organisation and expressed their hope that President Bola Tinubu would be moved by the award to pay attention to the country's needs during this trying time.

Adeleye claimed that there would have been no democracy without June 12. Nigerians sacrificed their lives for Nigeria's peace and prosperity. Many people were murdered or maimed.

“The June 12 anniversary is significant. Ironically, it coincides with one-year anniversary of President Tinubu. Nigerians expect a radical change from Tinubu government because he is the first candidate from the human rights constituency that has ever emerged as the President of the country. Nigerians are looking up to him to bring the country back from the brink.” Adeleye said.

On his part, Tinubu, who was represented by a senior special assistant, Tunde Rahman, when on to talk about President Bola Tinubu contributions in the fight for democracy. He said that as a Senator in 1993 after the annulment of June 12, Tinubu led a team of lawmakers who did the unthinkable under a military regime: they demanded an end to military rule.

President Tinubu, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Ayo Opadokun, the former General Secretary of NADECO, and NADECO Chieftain Wale Osun were among those awarded by the NHRC.