The National Human Rights Commission Tuesday appealed to Nigerians to support the Human Rights Fund which remains unfunded till date.
The executive secretary of the commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, stated this in Abuja at an awareness walk to commemorate the International Human Rights Day that underscored the need for Nigerians to recognise that protecting human rights is a collective responsibility that goes beyond government efforts.
The awareness walk witnessed the executive secretary leading other Nigerians for the walk from Eagles Square, Central Area to the commission’s headquarters at Maitama.
The event was organised in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), funded by the European Union and implemented by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
He said: “We need resources, because all these things cannot be done without resources. The government is trying, but they can do a lot better, they can do a lot more. And also note that it is not only for government to assist in addressing human rights violations.”
The chairman, Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Salamatu Suleiman, said commemoration of Human Rights Day should not be confined to one day but celebrated everyday.
She said emphasis must be placed on out-of-school children, adding that if they are educated, it will eliminate vices in the society.
Also, the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, assured that the federal government has taken concrete steps to strengthen the institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights.
