The Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu is not interfering with the independence of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), an official has said.
Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, said this on Monday while commissioning the Kebbi Office of NHRC in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
He said, “I am happy to say that since inception of this administration, the government has not interfered with the independence of the NHRC.
“This administration believes in the promotion and protection of the human rights of Nigerians.
“The administration is therefore determined to provide enabling environment for the commission to effectively discharge its mandate to protect the rights of Nigerians and persons living in Nigeria.”
Fagbemi noted that the commissioning of Kebbi office of NHRC would further entrench the operational independence of the commission.
The minister said that it was a bold statement by the federal government towards the support to the commission and to protect the rights of Nigerians.
“The federal government will support the commission in its efforts to own its offices nationwide to further entrench its independence and strengthen its strive to protect the rights of Nigerians,” he said.
Earlier, Chairperson, Governing Council of NHRC, Dr Salamatu Suleiman, noted that the commission embarked on the construction and completion of nine new offices with the support of the budget office of the federation and National Assembly from 2019.
“The Kebbi office being commissioned today was among those awarded so far, while the others will be awarded as funds become available.
“It is the appeal of the commission that the national assembly and the budget office should appropriate more funds to help further realise its mandate of providing adequate protection to Nigerians when their rights are violated in any state.
“While acknowledging the support of the federal government and National Assembly Committee on Human Rights, we seek further support in areas such as adequate funding, construction of the remaining 22 state offices, resourcing the human rights fund under the Act.
“This is in addition to the amendment of the Act in line with observations made by the sub-committee on accreditation that reviewed the status of NHRC in 2023, among others,” she said.
On his part, Gov. Nasir Idris, said the event reflected the federal government’s commitment under the leadership of President Tinubu to improve cooperation and coordination in the planning and implementation of human rights across the country.
Idris, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, commended the federal government, particularly the minister of Justice, the chairperson and executive secretary of the NHRC for working harmoniously to provide the befitting office for the commission.
“My administration will compliment the effort of the federal government by connecting the office to national grid and provide it with operational vehicle for its activities in the state.
“Also, part of my commitment to promoting human rights protection, I recently approved the appointment of your staff to join this administration as a Special Adviser on Human Rights Protection and Enforcement,” the governor said.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, emphasised on the aims of advancing the promotion, protection, and enforcement of human rights in Nigeria and sensitising stakeholders on critical human rights issues.
“This mandate entrusted to the NHRC is not merely a legal obligation; it is a moral imperative, a call to action to build a society where dignity, freedom and justice are the cornerstones of our national life,” Ojukwu said.
