The paradox inherent in this topic can be illustrated by this quote extracted from my earlier publication: "Nigeria will not achieve sustainable development unless it respects human rights; Nigerians will not enjoy human rights unless there is development; and human rights and development will remain elusive in Nigeria unless there is respect for rule of law".There are several theoretical questions about human rights-based approach to development and its many different definitions. For the sake of brevity, human rights-based approach to development is a conceptual framework for the process of human development that is normatively based on international human rights standards. It focuses on beneficiaries as the owners of rights, the directors of development, and emphasises the human person as the centre of the development process. It requires a high degree of active and informed participation by the citizens. This approach is founded on the conviction that mere charity is not enough from a human rights perspective; rather, people should be empowered to participate in policy formulation and hold accountable those who have a duty to act on their behalf. The norms, standards and principles of human rights-based approach to development include equality and equity, accountability, empowerment, participation and non discrimination. It considers the full range of indivisible, interdependent and interrelated rights and calls for accountability in the development process.Human development and human rights are interwoven and complement each another as both aim to promote well-being, freedom, inherent dignity and equality of all. For instance, in the human rights and human development frameworks, the development of new technologies for effective malaria prevention is a legitimate and even desirable outcome. But in rolling out these technologies, development actors should clearly assess and explain the possible negative effects of the testing, as well as ensure that the end products of the technologies are accessible and affordable and that vulnerable groups are not excluded. By extension, human rights contribute to human development by guaranteeing a protected space where the rich will not covert development processes to the detriment of the downtrodden. As a new paradigm, human rights-based approach to development has intertwined development, human rights and rule of law into one dynamic tool of social change. While many factors play an important role in development, human rights mainstreaming is now recognised as a catalyst for the advancement of sustainable development. In so far as good governance promotes accountability and transparency, human rights mainstreaming allows for sound and efficient management of human, natural, economic, and financial resources for equitable and sustainable development and life in dignity. Since development assistance must contribute to social rights, human rights mainstreaming in development is no longer the exclusive preserve of the ministry of justice, but a communal remit of all line ministries. This is so because unless other line ministries mainstream human rights and rule of law in their development initiatives and policy-making processes, the solo efforts of the ministry of justice will, in literary terms, remain a drop of water in the Lagos lagoon.It is pertinent to examine to what extent the principle of rights-based approach to development has been mainstreamed into governance in Nigeria. Why is it that despite unprecedented natural endowment and deliberate pro-poor policies by successive governments, elementary welfare to vast numbers or perhaps the majority of Nigerians is still an illusion' Is it right to conclude that Nigeria is still developmentally challenged because the norms, standards and principles of human rights-based approach to development have yet to form the core fabrics of governance'Development cuts across rule of law and human rights and is the best predictor of a countrys economic success. Any violation of human rights and breach of rule of law impact negatively on the citizenry and the investment community. The resultant lack of investment, in turn, impedes economic growth and consequently deprives the government of resources to invest in social services all of which are critical for sustainable development. It is on the realisation of the interconnectedness of human rights, rule of law and development that the member states of the United Nations renewed commitments to promote and protect human rights through the declaration of eight quantified and time-bound development goals. The Millennium Declaration Goals explicitly place both human rights commitments and development goals at the centre of the international pro-poor agenda.As a necessary derivative of underdevelopment, poverty is prevalent in Nigeria. Although not a recent social malaise, poverty has been a continuing human rights issue and its current intensity requires urgent national attention. Poverty is not only a lack of material goods and opportunities; it is also the inability to live a life with respect and dignity.Adopting the definition of poverty by the United Nations Development Programme, it is a state of long-term deprivation of the essential material and non-material attributes of well-being which are considered necessary for decent living. According to the UNDP Human Development Report, the total poverty head count in Nigeria is astronomically on the increase with the official poverty prevalence translating to over 100 million poor persons. Little wonder that the life expectancy in Nigeria in general and the geo-political zones in particular is a rude shock. As at 2010, life expectancy in the South-West is 51years; 49 years in the North-Central, North-West and South-East and 47 years in the North-East and South-South. With every sense of patriotism, the poverty and life expectancy index of Nigeria should be a major concern to government, policymakers and front line professional bodies.For Nigeria to achieve the MDGs set for 2015, emerge as one of the 20 largest economies by 2020 and achieve the developmental target set by President Goodluck Jonathan, the economy does not only require a tremendously consistent high growth rate, but the government should as a deliberate policy implement rights-based developmental policies and prioritise resource utilisation for the well-being of its vast population presently living below the poverty line. If government at all tiers appreciates and effectuates the veritable nexus between human rights and the rule of law in developmental policies and programmes, it would have by so doing erected the scaffolding for the realisation of the time bound MDGs and the Transformation Agenda of Jonathans administration. Implementing human rights-based approach to development in all tiers of governance in Nigeria would obviously serve to strengthen the capacities of citizens to make the requisite claims on government and for the governments to meet their statutory obligation of promoting equality, equity, accountability, transparency, empowerment, participation and non-discrimination.Emelonye is the Head, Governance, Institutional and Justice Reform Programmes, International Development Law Organisation, Rome. This is his personal opinion and does not represent the views of IDLO. He can be reached on emelonye@gmail.com.
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