Dr. Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has announced that Nigeria’s reporting on human rights violations has earned international acclaim.
During the 4th edition of the monthly dashboard on human rights at the Commission’s headquarters, Ojukwu emphasized Nigeria’s pivotal role in the global human rights discourse. Fresh from Geneva, Switzerland, after attending the Annual General Meeting of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), Ojukwu remarked, “All eyes and ears were on Nigeria when we were sharing our experiences.”
Highlighting the attention garnered by the Commission’s reports, Ojukwu noted the vocal stance taken on human rights violations, stating, “Everyone is impressed with the report emanating from the dashboard, and the international community awaits the monthly report that we make public.”
Ojukwu expressed gratitude to the media for their crucial role in disseminating these reports, underlining the dashboard’s significance in illustrating the human rights situation and measuring progress towards realizing rights for all Nigerians.
However, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the Executive Secretary, revealed a troubling increase in human rights violations recorded in April during the presentation of the monthly dashboard. He cited instances of mass killings, attacks on press freedom, unlawful detention of journalists, violence against children, cultism, and the impact of economic reforms on human rights enjoyment.
Ogbonna stressed the integral role of the monthly dashboard in the Commission’s mandate of real-time monitoring, investigation, and reporting on human rights nationwide.
Also addressing the gathering was Nkechi Enubiaka, Project Officer Rule of Law on Human Rights with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), who expressed gratitude for the partnership with NHRC and looked forward to further collaboration for human rights advancement and sustainable development.
Queen Esther Iroanusi, Political and Development Adviser of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, urged the Commission not only to document violations but also to address the challenges encountered in fulfilling its mandate.
