By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on governments at all levels, security agencies, public institutions and citizens to place human dignity, equality and justice at the centre of Nigeria’s transition from reforms to stability and shared prosperity.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, OFR, made the call in an Independence Day message issued by the Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, as Nigeria marks its 66th anniversary of independence.
Ojukwu commended the resilience, creativity and determination of Nigerians in the face of the country’s social, economic and political challenges.
Reflecting on the national theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,” the NHRC boss said the success of reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on the lives, rights and dignity of ordinary Nigerians.
He stressed that economic growth and national development would only be sustainable when the benefits of progress are broadly shared and vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are protected from disproportionate hardship.
Ojukwu therefore urged governments to strengthen social protection mechanisms, expand access to basic services and ensure that economic policies and reforms remain consistent with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
He also called on law enforcement and security agencies to uphold professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights in the discharge of their responsibilities.
According to him, the protection of national security must go hand in hand with the protection of fundamental rights.
The NHRC Executive Secretary further emphasized the importance of the rule of law, an independent and effective justice system, and meaningful access to justice, particularly for poor people, persons with disabilities, women, children, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
He urged public institutions to deepen public trust through transparency, accountability and responsive governance, while calling on citizens to remain committed to peaceful coexistence, civic responsibility and respect for the rights of others.
Ojukwu also recognized the contributions of civil society organizations, the media and human rights defenders to strengthening democracy, accountability and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
He noted that an open and vibrant civic space remained essential to sustainable national development.
“As Nigeria moves forward, we reaffirmed our commitment to work with government institutions, security agencies, civil society, the media, development partners and citizens to promote and protect human rights and strengthen the culture of accountability,” the learned silk said.
The Chief Human Rights Officer of the country said the transition from reforms to lasting stability required more than economic transformation.
He said it required building a Nigeria where every citizen enjoys equal protection of the law, access to justice, dignity and the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the nation’s development.
The NHRC wished Nigerians a peaceful and meaningful 66th Independence anniversary.
Correct the inaccurate quotation wording
Clarify the message’s issuing attribution
Tighten repetitive human-rights references
