The Executive Secretary of the National Human Right Commission, Tony Ojukwu Esq has stated unequivocally that the Commission under his watch has made giant strides in the enforcement of Human Right in Nigeria, attributing the success recorded to the supports given to them by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ojokwu disclosed this while delivering his speech during the National Human Right Summit and Award which took place Sunday at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja. He noted that as a way to increasing their efforts in the fight against Human Right abuse in Nigeria, the Federal Government has graciously increased their 2020 budget allocation, maintaining that it is a demonstration of the Muhammadu Buhari government commitment to improving Nigeria human right status.
Narrating the achievement the Commission has recorded since he assumed office, Tony Ojukwu stated among many things that they were able to facilitate the payment of the sum of N135,000,000, (One hundred and Thirty Five Million Naira) as compensation to victims who were injured and members of the family of persons unlawfully killed by the Army and DSS as a result of a counter-insurgence operation at Apo, Abuja on the 20th of September, 2013.
He also revealed that the Commission also launched and commenced the implementation of the 2019-2022 Strategic Work Plan of the Commission. He stated that through the plan, the Commission has been able to strengthen and improve its complicates treatment mechanism, increase its accessibility by establishing of 13 more offices across the Federation; embarked on strategic and coordinated approach to human rights education; monitor government compliance with local and international human rights standards; conduct strategic recruitment and placement of a highly skilled and motivated workforce; embark on organizational reforms and institutional development, upgrade its ICT facilities; and strengthen its strategic partnership with the media, CSOs and international partners.
Tony Ojukwu Esq also stressed that under his watch, the Commission chaired the Presidential Panel on Reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS) and the Nigeria Police Force, (2018). He said, “The Presidential Panel successfully conducted investigation into allegations of gross human rights violations against 9SARS0 and other personnel of the Nigeria Police. The Panel submitted its report to the President on 3rd June 2019,”
“In October 2019, the Commission set up the Special Investigation Panel on Sexual and Gender Based Violence, (SGBV) comprising distinguished human rights practitioners as response to persistent reports and complaints on allegations of gross sexual and gender based violence against security forces and other alleged perpetrators. The sitting of the Panel is ongoing and the expected outcome is to hold perpetrators accountable, raise awareness among the public in order to put an end to impunity in this respect and eliminate culture of silence by survivors and victims’. The Panel will also recommend and develop necessary guidelines to assist government in tackling the menace of SGBV and effective implementation of appropriate legislation,” he said. v
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