The Secretary-General of the Transnational Intergovernmental Organization-International Human Rights Commission IHRC, Prof. h.c. Rafal Marcin Wasik, has reiterated the commitment of the Organization to engender initiatives on peace and security, democracy, human rights, development, and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria through the IHRC Europe-Africa Cooperation.

The Secretary-General gave the assurances while speaking to government stakeholders during his first Delegation Visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the occasion of the Organization’s Symposium on International Humanitarian Law and Armed Conflicts, an African Perspective.

Part of the Delegation Visit was to the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in Abuja on Thursday 7th September, 2023, led by Secretary-General Prof Rafal Marcin Wasik, accompanied by the IHRC Managing Director of Control Department H.E. Ambassador at Large J. Tatarowski and other officials of the Commission in Nigeria.

The Delegation was received by the Director-General of the Institute Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, where issues on conflict resolutions, mediation, policy advisory, information sharing, peacebuilding, capacity building, humanitarian interventions, partnership, research, and training were deliberated.

The Secretary-General expressed the readiness of the organization to offer intergovernmental platforms for communications, observation missions, and participation towards promoting the culture of peace in Nigeria through the IHRC Europe-Africa Cooperation.

While responding, the DG IPCR Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, commended IHRC’s global focus on human rights and peacebuilding, emphasizing the core mandate of the Institute which is primarily inclusive in peacebuilding.

He further appreciated the Secretary-General and his team, adding that the Institute is ready to collaborate with the Commission to advance its efforts on peacebuilding and conflict resolutions

Similarly, towards strengthening transnational relationships between States and advancing partnerships in the fight against human trafficking around the world, the IHRC Delegates also paid a high-level delegation visit to the Director-General National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi on Thursday in Abuja.

The visit was part of activities marking the Secretary-General’s visit to Nigeria which was also in line with the Organization’s mission in the protection of human rights across the globe. The Secretary-General reaffirmed the IHRC Europe-Africa Cooperation to improve information sharing and data policy in the fight against human trafficking.

The NAPTIP DG Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, acknowledged the visit and assured the Commission of their readiness to harmonize the corporate partnership between the Agency and the International Human Rights Commission in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the IHRC Delegation on Saturday 9th September 2023, visited the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam at Abuja, emphasizing the relations between the International Human Rights Commission in Zurich Switzerland, and African countries in peace and security, democracy, human rights, development, and sustainable economic growth.

Meanwhile, another meeting with the Executive Governor of Benue State Governor H.E. Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia on Saturday 9th September 2023, highlighted international humanitarian aid needed for the good people of Benue State. The governor in his welcome remarks, commended the International Human Rights Commission, urging them to consider Benue State as part of their Europe-Africa revitalizing agenda for Nigeria.

Beyond the different high-level meetings that steer the relations, the Secretary-General restated that the IHRC engages in dialogues with various partners to advance mutually agreed priorities aimed at maintaining constructive relations between states.

To this end, IHRC will join forces with the Nigerian Government and other African Leaders to facilitate a continental approach towards peace and security, democracy, human rights, development, and sustainable economic growth in Africa, where the human rights of people will be fully protected.

IHRC Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah will however, maintain the established communications with the Government ties in achieving the expected outcome between the International Human Rights Commission IHRC and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Secretary-General IHRC Prof.Rafał Marcin Wasik maintained.

Signed:
Fidelis Onakpoma
IHRC Editor-in-Chief
September 9, 2023.

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