Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has said the 10th House is committed to empowering the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) towards protecting the rights of Nigerians.
The Speaker pointed out that the legislature and national human rights institutions are cornerstones in defending democracy and human rights.
Speaking when the management of the NHRC, led by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, visited him at his office on Wednesday, Speaker Abbas said the House would do everything constitutional to protect the rights of Nigerians.
He said: “Given the critical role that human rights play in developing our democracy, the request for this courtesy call was enthusiastically approved. Promoting and protecting human rights remains a core priority of the National Assembly as we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive society.
“We can achieve much together, and a deepened collaboration between the National Assembly and the NHRC will undoubtedly advance our shared goals.”
Speaker Abbas recalled that in the past, particularly with the 2010 amendment to the NHRC Act, the Nigerian Parliament took significant steps to strengthen the Commission’s independence.
He said: “These measures included securing its funding through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, entrenching the appointment and removal processes of Governing Council members by requiring Senate confirmation, granting the Commission additional powers to investigate human rights violations, empowering it to register and enforce its decisions as those of a High Court, and establishing the Human Rights Fund to support the Commission’s activities and respond to emergencies.
“These efforts have positioned the NHRC as one of the national institutions with the broadest mandate for promoting and protecting human rights. The Commission’s independence, as outlined under international obligations, is integral to fulfilling Nigeria’s human rights commitments.
To that end, Speaker Abbas said the House was aware of the importance of strengthening the NHRC’s operations and providing the necessary infrastructure for its functions.”
The Speaker added that a well-resourced and efficient NHRC can play a significant role in addressing insecurity.
Speaker Abbas noted: “By reducing grievances through effective human rights protection, we can mitigate the risks posed by marginalised groups, such as the millions of out-of-school children who are vulnerable to exploitation by criminal elements.
“I understand that the NHRC receives over two million complaints of human rights violations annually. Given the undeniable link between insurgency, insecurity, and human rights abuses, enhancing the Commission’s capacity to respond promptly and adequately to these complaints is essential. Doing so will help disrupt the cycle of discontent that fuels insecurity in our country.”
In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s vision, Speaker Abbas said the NHRC’s requests for operational tools and infrastructure will receive the attention they deserve.
He added that strengthening the Commission’s independence and providing an enabling environment for human rights protection is a legacy we can all be proud of. “This will resonate within Nigeria and serve as a positive signal internationally, attracting foreign investment and enhancing our global standing,” noted.
The key areas for consideration, the Speaker noted, include the establishment of independently owned state offices for the Commission, the expansion of the headquarters to accommodate additional office spaces and facilities, the provision of operational investigation vehicles for all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and the digitalisation of the Commission’s operations to enhance efficiency.
“However, given the scale and complexity of these requirements, it is essential to adopt a phased approach to their implementation, ensuring that each need is addressed systematically and sustainably over time,” he added.
While stating that the House is ready to work closely with the NHRC to “protect Nigerians’ rights fully”, the Speaker commended the commission for its notable achievements despite its challenges.
He said: “With continued support from Parliament, I am confident that the NHRC will further advance the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.”
The Executive Secretary of NHRC, while speaking earlier, noted that the visit to the Speaker was because “we have found in you a natural ally on the vision and mission of the NHRC regarding human rights in Nigeria.”
While disclosing that the NHRC receives about 2 million complaints on human rights abuses yearly, the Executive Secretary said the commission has been having a budget of 5 billion naira annually in the past five years.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC also called for more infrastructure to facilitate operations of the commission, noting that the organization independently owned 13 of its states’ offices.
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