The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stated its readiness to go the extra mile in advocating more for the realization of the rights of women in Nigeria, recognizing their critical role in well-being of individual citizens and national development.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN stated this in Abuja when a delegation from Women of Great Minds Initiative (WOGRAM) paid a courtesy visit to the Commission. He noted that the NHRC realises the human rights challenges often faced by women and girls in every society including Nigeria and has strategically put mechanisms in place to tackle them.
Dr. Ojukwu who was represented by the Director Public Affairs in the NHRC, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed told the visiting delegation that the Commission is making deliberate efforts to deal with the increasing human rights violations across the nation.
He said the Commission operates a toll-free number, 6472 to enable people reach out seamlessly to report any form of human right violation, this will enable the Commission to intervene immediately.
The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria used the opportunity to condemn the recent raising cases of femicide and other human right abuses perpetrated against women by their close relatives including spouses.
He described as heart-rending, the alleged harvesting of vital organs of women by people they trust, the murder of Salome Adaidu by Timilehin AJayi a Gospel singer alleged to be her boyfriend, the setting ablaze of Mrs Chioma Nwanna by her husband Mr. Nwanna over alleged infidelity by the victim, the list is unending and this ugly trend must be addressed urgently he emphasized.
On the human rights situation in the country the learned Silk disclosed that the Commission receives an average of two million (2 million) complaints of human rights violations on annual basis, and of this number approximately 70% borders on violation of the rights of women and children.
He said the Commission is ever willing to partner with relevant organizations to deal with issues of human rights pointing that the Commission cannot do it alone.
In the same vein, a Deputy Director in the department of Women and Children, Mrs. Rosemary Igboyi said that the Commission does not take the issue of women and children for granted.
According to her, the Commission created a specialized department to deal with the issues of SGBV and had also appointed a focal officer on women.
Mrs. Igboyi said that the Commission maintains an open-door policy with regard to collaborations with Civil Society Organizations and Non-governmental Organizations including other key stakeholders to towards realizing its mandate.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Founder of WOGRAM, Mrs. Margaret Udoh said the purpose of the visit was to seek partnership with the NHRC to create more human rights awareness for women and further protect their rights in all facets of the society.
