Nigeria joined the global community in commemorating International Human Rights Day on Tuesday, with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) revealing a staggering 2 million human rights violation complaints received in 2024.
This milestone underscores the growing awareness among Nigerians about their rights and their willingness to report violations.
NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu made the announcement during a “Human Rights Walk” event, organized in partnership with the European Union-funded International IDEA.
Ojukwu emphasized the importance of Nigerians feeling empowered to seek redress for rights violations, rather than suffering in silence or taking matters into their own hands.
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The event featured participants carrying placards with powerful messages, such as “Stand for equality, fight for humanity” and “Human rights know no boundaries.” Ojukwu applauded the valuable support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) program, which contributed to the event’s success.
Ojukwu stressed that the 2 million complaints demonstrate Nigeria’s progress in recognizing and addressing human rights issues. He challenged authorities, the government, and individuals to rise to the occasion and speak out against rights violations.
The NHRC boss also appealed for increased funding to provide legal services to victims of human rights abuses.
To address the funding gap, Ojukwu encouraged private individuals and companies to donate resources, including equipment and facilities. He highlighted the existence of a Human Rights Fund, which remains underutilized.
Dr. Salamatu Hussein, Chairperson of the NHRC Governing Council, emphasized the critical need to focus on children’s rights violations. Ensuring children’s rights, particularly the right to education, is essential for addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school children problem.
“The right to education should be taken very seriously, as it holds the key to solving many of Nigeria’s problems,” Hussein stated.