A Model Initiative Promoting Community Health, Hygiene and Sustainable Practices in Nigeria

Ifo Market, Ogun State, Nigeria | 9 July 2025

Responding to the Call for Action

In a compelling demonstration of grassroots mobilisation, the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) – Ogun State Chapter has launched a dynamic environmental sensitization campaign at Ifo Market, Ogun Central. This initiative directly responds to the renewed appeal issued by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, Head of Diplomatic Mission of IHRC in Nigeria, who, during the June Alike Community Empowerment event, called upon all volunteers across Nigeria to intensify efforts within the IHRC Community Service Initiative. Ogun State SMM has fully embraced this mandate, reinforcing IHRC’s commitment to community empowerment and sustainable development.

Mobilising Volunteers for Sustainable Impact

On Wednesday, 9 July 2025, under the leadership of Comrade Kazeem Lukman, IHRC-SMM Ogun State Coordinator, an experienced team of volunteers—including Comrade Janet Onu, Comrade Elizabeth Loto, Dr. Imasuen Mike, Jimoh Kamoru, and Alh. Ganiyu Amao—conducted a comprehensive sanitation and environmental awareness programme at Ifo Market. Their objectives were twofold:

• To improve public hygiene through active market sanitation,
• And to educate and empower traders by raising awareness of best environmental practices.

“We are not just cleaning spaces; we are enlightening minds. This sensitization was about building healthier, more informed communities—starting right from the grassroots.” emphasised Comrade Lukman.

Knowledge, Policy, and Community Engagement

The campaign placed a strong focus on the environmental policies of the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), particularly regarding waste disposal, public hygiene, and sustainable practices. Market leaders and traders engaged enthusiastically in interactive sessions, actively participating in knowledge-sharing activities and welcoming the distribution of educational materials.

IHRC’s efforts were met with great interest:
Many traders expressed astonishment at the breadth of information received, resulting in lively discussions and a surge of questions. Market executives praised the initiative and formally expressed willingness to collaborate with IHRC on future outreach programmes.

Addressing Structural Gaps and Urgent Needs

While the campaign achieved significant progress in raising awareness, it also exposed critical infrastructural deficits—notably, the lack of proper waste disposal systems and limited access to potable water within the market. IHRC therefore urgently recommends:

• Immediate governmental intervention to provide clean water sources, waste bins, and essential sanitation logistics in public markets,
• Integration of these improvements into local and state-level policy frameworks to ensure long-term, sustainable hygiene.

Building on Momentum: Next Steps for Community Health

This sensitization campaign served as a strategic prelude to the scheduled environmental sanitation exercise in Ogun State on 10 July 2025, functioning as a vital seminar to bridge knowledge and practice gaps among key market stakeholders.

The volunteers extended their heartfelt appreciation to Comrade Elijah Vitus Echendu, National Coordinator of IHRC-SMM Nigeria, whose visionary leadership and continued mentorship provide crucial guidance to local chapters across the nation.

IHRC’s Global Mission Reflected Locally

This initiative is a clear testament to the IHRC’s global vision—delivering tangible, positive change within communities and strengthening the capacity of citizens to live with dignity, health, and peace.
The Ifo Market sensitization campaign will remain a benchmark for effective volunteerism and informed community service in Nigeria.

Reported by:
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head of Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria

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August 23, 2023
Secretary-General of the Transnational Intergovernmental Organization – International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), Prof. h.c. Rafal Marcin Wasik will visit Nigeria from September 5 to 10 for the Official Inauguration of the Mission in Nigeria.

The Commission’s Ambassador at Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah said in a statement made available by its Head of Media and Strategic Communications Mr. Fidelis Onakpoma.

His visit will solidify the harmonization of a corporate partnership between the Transnational Intergovernmental Organization- IHRC with the Nigerian Government and the Official Inauguration of the Central Office heading the Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, he stated.

In addition, the Secretary-General looks forward to constructive discussions on issues relating to advancing and safeguarding human rights, fostering diplomatic collaboration, and facilitating humanitarian initiatives on a global scale.

He added that the visit is envisaged to improve information sharing in establishing a long-term economic and investment cooperation addressing the commercial relationship and challenges faced by Nigerians, stressing the need for improved communication and healthy economic cooperation that will benefit Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General is a Distinguished Guest at the public presentation/book launch authored by the Commission’s Ambassador at Large H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah on International Humanitarian Law and Armed Conflicts: An African Perspective cum International Humanitarian Service Award to deserving Nigerians.

Anchored in the principles enshrined within the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the European Convention on Human Rights, the auspicious occasion which shall take place on the 8 September at the International Conference Center ICC Abuja, is in line with IHRC’s mission to upholding the dignity of individuals, promoting intergovernmental dialogue, and championing equality and justice.

Furthermore, the impressive professional journey (antecedents) of H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah as the Ambassador at Large and Head of the Diplomatic Mission in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, beyond the confines of shaping policies, weaving compelling narratives that delve deep into crucial societal issues will be unveiled by the Secretary-General.

Signed
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head, Media & Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria

The post IHRC Secretary-General, Prof. h.c. Rafal Marcin Wasik to Visit Nigeria – Dr. Duru Hezekiah first appeared on ihrc.news.

August 7, 2023

The Transnational Intergovernmental Organization – International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Nigeria, under the watch of the Ambassador at Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, achieved another milestone by preserving the life of a 13-year-old girl in Abuja from the possibility of being kidnapped or used for rituals by people who could have possibly seized her vulnerability to do so.

In a recent development reported by the Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Fidelis Onakpoma, said that the Organization rescued a 13-year-old girl Glory Markus at Aco Abuja, who was trekking from Gwarinpa to Kaduna during the night hours of 20th July 2023.

She was found and rescued by the Director of Legal Affairs IHRC Nigeria, Victor Itodo Uloko Esq, along the Aco expressway. The prompt intervention of the International Human Rights Commission safeguarded her from being a victim of another social media headline on missing children.

Itodo narrated that on 20th July at about 08: 30pm while driving to his in-law’s house at Aco, he had a flat tire immediately after Lugbe close to the Aco bridge and was trying to fix it up when he saw a little girl wearing a school uniform with LEA Gwarinpa Abuja written on her cardigan, walking and crying towards him.

“I called her and asked her where she was going, and she said she was going to Kaduna to meet her parents…from where? She said from her Guardian’s House at 3rd Avenue in Gwarinpa… she had trekked from Gwarinpa to Aco, heading to Kaduna that night”, he explained.

“I was moved with compassion, I couldn’t walk away from her, as she’s just 13 years old and it will be too dangerous for her to be left alone. I immediately reported the incident to the office and took her to the nearest Police Station where I further made provisions for her wellbeing pending the next day”, he added.

Meanwhile, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, in his continued effort to humanitarian interventions and protection of human rights, through the Legal Department of the International Human Rights Commission in Nigeria, made efforts to reach out to both the guardians and her family relatives, inviting them to the office the next day.

The avenue was to understand what happened that warranted her sudden action of trekking to Kaduna at night undermining the risk. It was also gathered that Glory Markus’s biological parents were farmers at Makera in Kaduna South.

The Guardians she was living with, Mr. Smart and Chinelo Nnagozie, alongside the family relative residing in Abuja, Danlami Sarki, honored the invitation and told the International Human Rights Commission that Glory Markus was brought from her parents in Kaduna to assist in taking care of their children, adding that she was as well admitted into the school, well fed and treated in dignity.

While appreciating IHRC who in God’s providence and mercy rescued her, expressed their worries and condemned her recent action of embarking to Kaduna at night, noting that she was just fed up with staying away from her siblings and parents and had always tended to run away with every slightest opportunity back to Kaduna.

They stressed the need for her not to return to the village because she just finished her common entrance examination as the guardians could give her a better future in Abuja than returning to the village.

However, the Director of IHRC Legal Affairs, Victor Itodo Uloko Esq, sustained that there was no evidence of abuse or maltreatment on her but discussions with all parties including the girl, representatives of the IHRC Special Monitoring Mission: Dickson Jennifer, Barr. Udochukwu and all interested individuals resolved that the girl should be sent back to her parents, in good health and mutual understanding until she becomes of a sound mind of living with other people.

Her constant indications and attempts to run away from your custody shouldn’t be neglected in a hurry, as she could end up committing suicide or do something very terrible, Itodo cautions Smart and Chinelo Nnagozi, her guardians. “Our resolution today will not only ensure her safety return but will assist in orienting her on the best way to grow as a girl child”, he added

At the time of filing this report, a statement of undertaking was signed by the guardians and family relatives to return her to her parents in Kaduna State in good health. Interestingly, the 13 year old girl, Glory Markus has been reunited with her biological parents in Kaduna State and in good health.

Reported
Victor Itodo Uloko Esq
Director of Legal Affairs IHRC Nigeria

Editorial
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head, Media & Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria

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