…Reassures commitment to protect, promote and enforce rights of persons
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Imo State in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Civil Society Organizations and other human rights defenders on Tuesday, December 10, joined the global community to celebrate the 2024 Human Rights Day.
The event began with a march from the Commission’s office on Chief Anthony Ojukwu Avenue to Avu Junction in Owerri West Local Government Area.
Participants carried out sensitization while the march lasted and later retired at the Commission’s office for other activities lined up for the celebration.
The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Chief Dr. Anthony Ojukwu SAN OFR FICMC, in his statement for the International Human Rights Day Celebration, read by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Justina Okeke, urged Nigerians to take deliberate steps to close the gaps in human rights protection for a better future.
“Human rights protection is a continuous process and not an event. Therefore, we remain committed to going extra mile to ensure that our dear country becomes a model and bastion of human rights protection worthy of attention of other African nations and beyond.
Dr. Ojukwu also noted that the Commission had since January this year established a monthly Dashboard on Human Rights, which collates complaints of human rights violations in the 36 states and the FCT, adding that it had graphically segmented issues of human rights violations in various thematic areas, making it possible for stakeholders to know trending violations and collectively tackle them as quick as possible, rather than waiting for them to fester, get more complicated and cause more harm to society.
“This year’s activities collectively aim to strengthen partnerships, enhance awareness and foster collaborative action in the fight against inequality. By bringing diverse stakeholders together, the Commission seeks to reaffirm it’s commitment to promoting equality, justice and the protection of human rights for all Nigerians.”
Dr. Ojukwu, while thanking the Commission’s partners, the United Nations and its agencies for their support, solicited for more assistance for the advancement of human rights in Nigeria.
In an interview, the Chief Legal Officer, NHRC, Imo State, Barr Ikechukwu Ironali said all hands should be on deck to end gender based violence, especially against women and girls, and also, give the girl-child the right training to enable her compete favourably with her counterparts all over the world.
He said the Commission in line with the mandate of protecting, promoting and enforcing human rights, had embarked on several sensitization programmes to schools and communities, as well as advocacy visits to gatekeepers, enlightening them on how to handle GBV cases.
In his keynote lecture, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Barr Chris Ihentuge said sensitization and education were key to ending human rights abuses and encouraged citizens to reaffirm their commitment on upholding the principles of human rights.
The Guest Speaker, Barr Chioma Emukah, in her paper presentation on “Gender Based Violence Situation In Imo State: Overview of Imo State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law No. 8, 2021” identified awareness of existence of the VAPP law, high level of illiteracy, cultural silence and stigma as some of the challenges to maximize the elimination of Gender Based Violence and implementation of the VAPP law.
She urged citizens to reaffirm their commitment to creating a world where individual’s rights are protected.
The representative of Mr. Ernest Ogbu – Imo State Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr. Chinedu Anyafulu expressed delight on the commitment of partners in the state and called for more sensitization of the public on human rights.
Director UNICEF and other NGOs, Ministry of Education, Adim Madumere called for increased advocacy for the right of teachers in the state, noting their relevance in knowledge impartation, particularly, human rights education.
Hon. Victor Diala of Uju Charity Empowerment Initiative bemoaned the alarming rate of human rights violations in Nigeria and tasked citizens on efforts towards a nation free of human rights abuses.
The Programme Associate, Spaces for Change, Jacinta Mbamara said her organization was committed to championing human rights causes and empowering communities to stand up for their rights, while advocating the inclusion of Digital Rights.
Caritas Foundation, Honourbirth Foundation, Open Arms Foundation and gentlemen from the media who were also in attendance, pledged their support towards a safer society for everyone.
The highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of award on Dr. Chioma Emukah in recognition of her exceptional contribution in addressing gender based violence and fostering positive change in society.
The award was presented by the Chief Legal Officer, NHRC, Imo State, Barr Ikechukwu Ironali on behalf of Caritas Nigeria.
A Senior Legal Officer, NHRC, Imo, Barr Ihunanya Okoroji had earlier in a radio programme on Orient 94.5FM said the celebration was a reminder of the importance of human rights and the need to promote, protect and enforce human rights.
She said the National Human Rights Commission was playing a vital role to ensure that the rights and future of people are protected.