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FG REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION IN NIGERIA
FG REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION IN NIGERIA
— As Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN Commissions NHRC’s Lagos State Office at Ikeja
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in Nigeria by providing the enabling environment for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to effectively realize its mandate.
The Government also promised to support the NHRC to own its offices nationwide to further entrench its independence and strengthen its strive to protect the rights of citizens.
The Honorable Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN who made this statement on the occasion of the commissioning of the Lagos State office of the NHRC noted that the operational independence of the Commission has been future strengthened with the construction of it own offices.
“Under the Paris Principles, such national human rights institutions are to be independent in the execution of their mandate, structure and operations” .
Section 6(3) of the NHRC Act 1995 as amended, stipulates that the Commission in carrying out it’s mandate and operations shall not be subject to the control of any authority or person, he added.
“Accordingly, the ownership of their place of operations (office) constitutes an important aspect of their independence. I am happy to say that since this administration, the government has not interfered with the independence of the Commission”, the AGF said.
The Chief Law Officer of the Federation noted that in fact, during the last dissolution of Boards of all parastatals, the government exempted the Governing Council of the Commission from the general dissolution of Federal Government Boards due to its independence under the enabling Act and the Paris Principles.
In her opening remarks, the Chairperson of the Governing Council of the NHRC, Dr. Salamatu Suleiman, FICMC, thanked the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and other highly distinguished guests for gracing the occasion of the completion and commissioning of the Lagos State office of the National Human Rights Commission in Alausa, Ikeja Lagos.
According to the senior lawyer, the history of the realization of this project needs to be told as a testimony of the determination of the Commission to strengthen its operations and independence.
She recalled that the Commission was established through the National Human Rights Commission Act 1995 as amended and that in its determination to entrench its independence from the beginning, the Commission commenced its daily operations from its own independently owned buildings in the six geo-political zonal headquarters of Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano, Jos and Maiduguri between 1996 and 2002.
“Over time however, the acquired Lagos office building was no longer befitting and structurally fit to meet the challenges and demands of a modern office suitable for the operations of a national human rights institution like the Commission.
The need for inclusivity and diversity in the working environment of the Commission necessitated a new office structure after 23 years of the acquisition of the Lagos office building and the other zonal headquarters”, the Chairperson narrated.
She observed that things like ramps, lifts, mediation rooms and conference rooms have become key components of any structure for conducting business by a national human rights institution like ours.
The project, she stated, was fully funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria with no donor support.
“The Commission is indeed grateful to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Budget office of the Federation, the National Assembly for appropriating funds for the execution of this laudable project. It is our fervent hope that the dream of realizing the construction of the remaining State offices of the Commission will soon be a reality”, she added.
In his speech at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN said the Commission had identified the ownership of its offices as one of the indices of its independence under the Paris principles from inception, but due to inadequate financial resources in the Commission, it could not continue on the trajectory of owning all its offices, the way it had started at inception from 1996 to 2002.
The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria recollected that the Lagos office being commissioned today was the first to be awarded in 2019 while the others were awarded in 2020.
“It is hoped that by the end of this year, the Commission will be completing at least 8 of the 9 projects while the 9th project will hopefully be completed before the end of 2025. The delivery period has been 4 to 5 years. This is due to the lean financial resources available to the Commission”, the Executive Secretary stated.
He used the opportunity to appeal to the National Assembly and the Budget office to appropriate more funds to help the Commission further realize its mandate to provide adequate protection to Nigerians when their rights are violated.
Finally, he thanked the Chief Judge of Lagos state, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Hon Attorney General of Lagos state, the Commissioner of Police for Lagos state, civil society organizations, human rights defenders like Chief Femi Falana SAN, and the Media who work with us daily to resolve complaints on human rights violations.
Other dignitaries and stakeholders who also graced the occasion were, Chairman House Committee on Human Rights and Legal Matters, Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde, representative of the Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, representative of the Commission of Police, Lagos State, Chairman Nigerian Bar Association, Ikrodu, Bayo Akinlade, representative of the Director General Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, representative of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Victor Lutenco (Senior Programme Coordinator), representative of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr. Frederick Uche Oko, and the Vice Chairman NBA Lagos State, Esther Jimo, etc.
FG REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION IN NIGERIA
Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected terrorist during a firefight in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on April 23 when troops of 8 Division Garrison, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Marnona, responded to intelligence on terrorist activities at Illela village.
The sources said the troops made contact with the assailants and engaged them in a gun battle.
“Following the exchange of fire, one terrorist was neutralised, while others fled the scene,” the sources said.
They added that a vigilante member who supported the operation sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and was evacuated for medical attention.
According to the sources, troops have continued to dominate the general area to forestall further terrorist activities.
Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
285 Graduate From the NOUN Maiduguri Centre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
285 students have graduated from the Maiduguri study centre of the National Open University (NOUN) last weekend.
The convocation ceremony which was conducted at the Baga road centre by the director Associate Prof Buba Shani was the largest so far in the history of the Borno centre.
Revealing this in a post convocation chat was the director of centre, Associate Prof Buba Shani who spoke with this reporter on the gains, achievements and the challenges associated with managing the only centre in Borno state.
He revealed that electricity supply from the national grid was the primary challenge he had to face headlong when he took charge adding that it was very obvious power supply affected the daily administration and the conducive nature of the environment for students to study.
To him, a study centre without constant electricity was a big minus on the very academics which the centre was created to support adding that they were very happy to be hooked up with the national grid now.
“But we have been able to get over it because the centre was not on the national grid but we are now connected to the national supplies after almost six years of not having supplies.
” And with support from the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the NOUN alumni association, we now have a lighted compound where students can read even in the evenings if they wish to.” Said the director.
He said that since he took charge as head of management, the student population has increased from 600 to about 1,200 and they are still counting adding that inspite of the previous instability of the city, students now operate with peace of mind with the stability of the security within the city of Maiduguri.
Above all, Prof Shani noted that he was happy with the existing relationship within the staff and students in the centre, which is ensuring that their studies are smooth.
Restriction of law from NYSC
On restriction of some courses from the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), he hinted that no course is suffering from that syndrome.
” Whatever applies to the centre applies to the whole country and it is not just in the Maiduguri centre alone.
” But I must tell you that the undergraduate course for law has been scrapped for now and this is a decision of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“Sadly, the previous management did not do much about ensuring that the course is properly situated and offering it doesn’t become a challenge during their time.
“However, we admit only post graduate courses in law and related courses for now. We would continue to push to get to our expected end at all cost concerning the undergraduate law program ” he concluded.
The Maiduguri study centre has operated for about 22 years defying all the threats of the lingering insurgency in Borno State.
285 Graduate From the NOUN Maiduguri Centre
2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei
Dr Salihu Girei, a former Director of Research, Development and Centre of Excellence, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), has formally declared interest to contest the Governorship seat in Adamawa under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Girei made his intention to govern the state known at a press conference in Yola while unveiling a 10-point agenda for the development of the state.
He said if given the mandate he would impact positively in the state especially at the grassroots.
He listed some of the agenda to include: free and quality education at the primary and secondary levels, healthcare service delivery, agriculture, women and youth empowerment, employment opportunities rural development among others.
Girei promised to provide a special salary package for teachers and 100 per cent review of pension for retirees.
He explained that he is presenting himself to the electorate to vote for in order to provide good governance, saying, he has a lot to offer towards improving the wellbeing of citizens of Adamawa State.
According to him, he contributed enormously to the development of the state and country at large for 33 years as a public administrator, and as a policy maker.
“I was Executive Chairman of Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board, where I was privileged to transform the education landscape, especially at the basic education level.
“I built at least 5,500 classrooms record. Were able to recruit at least 17,000 teachers in four years.
“We promoted teachers that were lagging behind in promotion. We trained and retrained teachers. We did a lot in terms of supervision of teachers and schools”, he said.
He said, based on those factors, he knows Adamawa well and its challenges and has the capacity to deliver for the citizens.
“There is no ward in Adamawa that I have not been to. I’ve visited all in my capacity as Chairman of SUBEB and Commissioner for LG Affairs”, he said.
Dr Girei earlier visited the APC Secretariat to formally declare his intentions to the party Executives and congratulated them for their emergence as the new EXCO.
In his remarks, Alhaji Hamza Madagali appreciated the visit and assured the party’s readiness to conduct free, fair and credible primary elections across all political offices.
2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei
Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
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