Reported by the Department of Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria
Friday 8, 2024

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NGA: The World Day of Social Justice observed annually on February 20th, serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting social justice for all. It is an opportunity to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and take collective action to address the root causes of social injustices.
On the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice, the International Human Rights Commission-IHRC emphasizes the importance of bridging gaps and building alliances to promote social justice in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.

The Commission’s Ambassador-at-Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah in a statement made available by his media team, said the day serves as a reminder of the need to address social inequalities, discrimination, and human rights violations, and to work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all individuals.

IHRC recognizes that no single entity can tackle these challenges alone, therefore, it emphasizes the need for collaboration and building alliances among individuals, organizations, and governments.

“It is imperative that we work together to address the systemic injustices that plague our communities and perpetuate inequality. We must strive to create a society where every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, regardless of their background or circumstances”, he noted.

By standing in solidarity with one another and advocating for the rights of the marginalized and oppressed, we can bring about lasting transformation and create a more just and inclusive society for future generations, “ Because what we do today we do for generations”, he added.

He urged government at all levels, organizations, and institutions to bridge the gaps and build alliances that will empower the people to create a better world for all.

He maintained that the IHRC is ready to collaborate with governments, organizations, and individuals to promote social justice and ensure that every person’s rights are protected and respected.

Signed
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head, Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria

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_____________________
H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru HezekiahAmbassador-at-Large/Head of Diplomatic Mission, IHRC Nigeria.

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Fidelis who doubles as the South-South Regional Coordinator for the Special Monitoring Mission, said the nomination was largely due to Ahon’s contribution to IHRC, his public achievements, exemplification of outstanding leadership, and stature in society, which can help the organization achieve her mission by enhancing the organization’s credibility, and modeling different ideals of leadership.

“As a Patron, you will contribute to IHRC SMM’s leadership development programs in Delta State by sharing insights, experiences, and other enriching leadership perspectives” he highlighted.

“Leverage your networks to encourage other renowned leaders to contribute their time and knowledge to the intellectual enrichment of the IHRC SMM in Delta State”, he added.

The International Human Rights Commission-IHRC is a Transnational Intergovernmental Organization with world headquarters in Zurich Switzerland, having its Diplomatic Representation in the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs Department of the European Union.

In Nigeria, its Diplomatic Mission is headed by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, while the Special Monitoring Mission is led by Engr. Comrade Elijah Vitus Echendu.

Reported
Fidelis Onakpoma,
Head, Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria

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The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has been hailed by the International Human Rights Commission-IHRC, for investing in youth talent development, describing his administration as inclusive as it effectively serves and engages all people, essential to advancing democratic values, including peaceful pluralism and respect for diversity, human rights and equality before the law.

The commendation was made yesterday at Asaba, during a courtesy call visit by the Special Monitoring Mission of the International Human Rights Commission-IHRC in Delta State, led by Fidelis Onakpoma, to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Talent Development, Ambassador Ugagaoghene Ogheneyole.

He said when it comes to a country’s economic growth, investing in youth talent development plays a key role and helps to drive economic development and social progress.

“Young people represent the future of Delta State and are key to driving economic growth and development. By investing in their talent development, the Governor is building a strong talent pipeline that can meet the needs of high-demand sectors, fill the talent gap, and contribute to the country’s progress”.

He urged the SSA to assimilate Governor Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda to consistently reflect the dynamism, innovative zeal, and unyielding productivity that are synonymous with the young people of Delta, allowing them to confidently enter the labor market and secure employment and contribute to the economy.

“We stand with you in collaboration and look forward to witnessing continued positive change you will both bring to our dear State and beyond”, he maintained.

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…As Stakeholders Harp on Synergy of Actors in Activism

Stakeholders have expressed concern about consolidating and sustaining human rights into the future, highlighted crucial challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in discharging their duties, and called for synergy between actors to ensure fundamental human rights of citizens are not compromised.

The Special Monitoring Mission of the International Human Rights Commission-IHRC South/South Region reports that the various stakeholders comprising the Police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Army, including the Delta State University Abraka, and other Civil Rights Groups spoke at her 2023 end of year Human Rights Stakeholders Summit on Saturday in Abraka Delta State.

The various stakeholders expressed concern over the development, with an emphasis that the summit will help to develop a comprehensive experience of human rights advocacy hinged to provide creative, concrete knowledge of how to use international and regional human rights treaties and enforcement mechanisms in their work for the protection and promotion of human rights.

They bemoaned the non-compliance to human rights laws, particularly from those who are entrusted to protect and uphold them, ranging from the home, community leaders, political actors, and law enforcement agencies while anticipating the integration of knowledge in the fields of politics, economics, cultural diversity, gender issues, security, and socio-psychology in the context of human rights.

Fidelis Onakpoma, the Regional Coordinator for IHRC Special Monitoring Mission South-South Region, in his opening remark, commended various stakeholders for participating in the one-day human rights summit, imploring them on the need for effective collaboration towards consolidating and sustaining human rights into the future.

He said IHRC was deeply concerned about synergy’s approach and the application of a comprehensive experience of human rights advocacy on how to use international and regional human rights treaties and enforcement mechanisms in their work for the protection and promotion of human rights.

He explained that tertiary institutions, human rights educators, activists, law enforcement officers, lawyers, women activists, research officers, leaders, members of coalitions and networks, staff of NGOs and CBOs, volunteers, development actors, trainers, and students, participated in the summit.

“As stakeholders, we will leverage our partnerships by creating awareness, and implementing enforceable regulations that can help in reducing human rights violations in our communities”.

CP Wale Abass, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, commended IHRC’s idea on the one-day stakeholders engagement, assuring the stakeholders of the Police’s commitment to the quest for any cause that would consolidate human rights into the future.

The CP who was ably represented by the DPO of Abraka Police Station SP Fabian Efehi Ayameh, stressed that the alarming consequences that have emerged due to non-compliance to human rights cannot be ignored.

He noted that apart from human rights actors being worried about the situation, citizens are getting perturbed that their fundamental human rights are being compromised gradually while appropriate government agencies look the other way.

“But through this summit, information sharing and fruitful exchange of ideas on enforceable and emergency response, considered to bolster human rights compliance and effectively address any human rights related incidents that may occur, will be established, courtesy of the International Human Rights Commission-IHRC”.

The Commissioner of Police further said that training programs, and capacity building for policemen and paramilitaries working with the Nigeria Police such as the Vigilante and Anti-cult, will be implemented to enhance their mode of operation in compliance with human rights laws.

“The fundamental human rights of our citizens are non-negotiable, and we will leave no stone unturned in protecting their lives,” he said.

Similarly, the State Commander of NDLEA Delta State Command, Barr. Abubakar Wada, represented by ASN. Cletus Nduka Ndubuisi said there was a need for all stakeholders to double their efforts, not only in the area of collaboration but also in enlightenment.

Prof. Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyega, Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University Abraka (DELSU), represented by Prof. Ben Nwane also stressed the need for synergy and collaboration between all the stakeholders.

He noted that DELSU under the indefatigable leadership of Prof. Andy Egwunyega has attained milestone achievements with compliance to human rights laws such as gender equality, no sex for grade, sexual harassment policy, inclusion, and good governance, to mention but a few.

DELSU had a lot of implementable and enforceable policies safeguarding fundamental human rights, adding that their efforts to consolidate and sustain human rights into the future of the institution remain unwavering.

Pastor (Comr.) Edewor Egedegbe, Chairman Human Rights Protection Congress, asserted that as much as we ensure that more people comply with human rights laws, as we hold our abusers accountable, the issue of education and enlightenment of the public cannot be overemphasized.

“By advocating for sustainable practices, formulating effective policies, and strengthening the capacities of the state, we strive to mitigate the human rights violations in our state”, he hinted.

In his recommendations on what should be done to consolidate and sustain human rights into the future, he submitted that:
1. Citizens should be responsible for supporting and providing reliable information to security agencies in a bid to ensure peaceful co-existence.
2. Community leaders should not aid and abate criminals in their community for selfish reasons because a peaceful community is a potential community for development.
3. Security agencies should earn citizens’ trust through their actions, and not make themselves enemies of the people they intend to protect through oppression, violation of constitutional rights, extortion, etc.

4. Security agents should not allow themselves to be used to undermine the laws of the land/court orders by political office holders and money bags, for their selfish interest thereby neglecting the rule of law in a democratic dispensation where the office of the citizen is the highest in the land.
5. Government should ensure and make adequate provision for the well-being of its citizens and security personnel, and should not use “the people’s power” vested in them against the wishes and aspirations of the people.
6. Patriotism should take center stage for all citizens whether officers or citizens alike and not engage in parochialism and bigotry.

Issued:
Fidelis Onakpoma,
Head, Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria.
December 31, 2023

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Adding: “IHRC honors individuals like you for their “outstanding achievements in community development and leadership”, contributing consistently and uncompromisingly to
supporting Humanitarian initiatives in Delta State.”

The organisation said recently, in her first median edition held on September 5, 2023, at ICC Abuja, Former Nigeria President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Governor of Benue State, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, Executive Secretary to the National Christian Pilgrim Commission, President of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, Chief of Staff to the Former Deputy Senate President, Diplomatic Corps, and Government Representatives were in attendance.

“Similarly, you have been profiled for this prestigious honor for the second median edition,” the letter added.

The programe/award ceremony with theme: ‘The Future is Human Rights’ will hold on the 23rd of December, 2023 at Riodes Hotel, Abraka.

Reacting, Daniel Eniator, said the nomination was a welcome development, adding that “the award is dear to me since it is coming from a noble organisation. It will spur me to do more.”

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In this sense, human rights education at secondary school levels helps make informed knowledge about human rights where students can boldly contribute to the protection of human rights and support communities and societies where the human rights of all are valued and respected.

This is true because the international community has increasingly expressed consensus on the crucial contribution of human rights education (HRE) to the realization of human rights as well as to the long-term prevention of human rights abuses and violent conflicts.

Interestingly, provisions on HRE, and in particular within the school system, have been incorporated into many international instruments, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the UNESCO Convention Against Discrimination in Education, and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

Therefore in the school system, HRE is an important component of the right to education, as it enables the education system to fulfill its fundamental aims of promoting the full development of the human personality and appreciation of human dignity, strengthening respect for human rights and of delivering a quality education for all.

Similarly, in 2004, the international community launched the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005–ongoing) to advance the implementation of HRE programs in all sectors and as a follow-up to the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995–2004), and decided to focus its first phase (2005–2009) on the integration of HRE in the primary and secondary school systems.

In my final submission, ladies and gentlemen, I wish to implore the national authorities responsible for Nigeria school system to integrate HRE in our schools as it contributes to improving the effectiveness of the education system as a whole, which in turn contributes to a country’s economic, social and political development and provide:

1. Improved quality of learning achievements by promoting child-centred and participatory teaching and learning practices and processes, as well as a new role for the teaching profession;

2. Increased access to and participation in schooling by creating a human rights-based learning environment that is inclusive and welcoming and fosters universal values, equal opportunities, respect for diversity, and non-discrimination;

3. A contribution to social cohesion and conflict prevention by supporting the social and emotional development of the child and by introducing democratic citizenship and values.

With this achieved, we may hope that they, in turn, would play their role in keeping the light of justice, freedom, and peace shining for future generations.

Once again, I thank you all for coming, and may we have a fruitful session of discussions and enlightenment at this program.

H.E. Ambassador (Dr.) Duru Hezekiah
Ambassador-at-Large/Head of Diplomatic Mission, IHRC Nigeria

Reported by the Department of Media, IHRC Nigeria.

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December 10 2023 marks the 75th Anniversary of one of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

Available in more than 500 languages, it enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.

The International Human Rights Commission IHRC Branch in Nigeria will mark the UDHR 75th Anniversary at Novare Central Abuja on Friday 8, December 2023, focusing on education and awareness, legal frameworks, institutional capacity building, amongst others, culminating in a high-level event which comprises secondary school students to consolidate global pledges and ideas for a vision for the future of human rights.

The Commission’s Ambassador-at-Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah in a statement made available by its Head of Media and Strategic Communications Mr. Fidelis Onakpoma, said this year’s theme on ‘Consolidating and Sustaining a Human Rights Culture into the Future’, involves several key considerations, which may include education and awareness, legal frameworks, institutional capacity building, empowering marginalized groups, and international cooperation.

He said promoting human rights education and raising awareness about human rights principles and values is crucial and it can be done through formal education systems, community outreach programs, and media campaigns to ensure that individuals are aware of their rights and responsibilities.

“Enacting and enforcing laws that safeguard civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights are essential in establishing and strengthening legal frameworks that protect human rights and ensure access to justice and accountability mechanisms for human rights violations.”, he averred.

Meanwhile, building the capacity of institutions responsible for upholding human rights is vital. This includes training law enforcement agencies, judiciary, and civil society organizations to effectively promote and protect human rights, he maintained.

Furthermore, Dr. Duru affirmed that addressing the specific challenges faced by marginalized groups is crucial for consolidating a human rights culture, adding that collaboration and cooperation at regional and international levels will play a significant role in consolidating and sustaining a human rights culture.

He urged African countries to work together, share best practices, and learn from each other’s experiences while engaging with international human rights mechanisms and organizations that can provide support and guidance in promoting human rights.

Reported
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head, Media and Strategic Communications IHRC in Nigeria
December 6, 2023.

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While thanking the DVC, for welcoming the team despite his busy schedule, Ezeani emphasized that the International Human Rights Commission IHRC is an Intergovernmental Transnational Organization advancing the rights of people globally all over the world.

“The IHRC has signed a treaty with the INTERPOL, State of the African Diaspora, African Peace and Security Union (APSU), a specialized structure functioning as a continental body encompassing the African continent with a clear mandate to support policies and programs that promote stability, development, and integration of the continent, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding with the Peace and Security Cluster of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), to mention but few”, he hinted.

Going further, Barr. (Mrs.) Nmachi Njemanze Head of Legal IHRC SMM Imo State, added that the potency of the UDHR is that it has been domesticated in our laws since its creation in 1993 vide the Nigerian Ratification and Enforcement Act giving it more strength and vigor with an international obligation.

She maintained that the focus of the SMM-IHRC in Imo State was to identify human rights abuses and violations prevalent in the State to nip them, as the Central Office partners with related sister agencies, governmental agencies, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the United Nations Charter on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is enforced at all levels in the State.

In response, the DVC appreciated the visit by the International Human Rights Commission IHRC SMM Officials and emphasized the importance of training human rights actors/activists to prevent abuses.

He decried the timidity and lack of boldness of some human rights actors in canvassing for the rights of the people, urging the SMM team that it is not about the number of people that volunteer as members but the dynamism, commitment, and dedication of the volunteers to bring about change and fight for the rights of the people.

Reported
Comrade Ezeani Chiemezie
SMM IHRC Imo State.

Editorial:
Fidelis Onakpoma
Editor-in-Chief for the International Human Rights Commission-IHRC
November 24, 2023.

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