Negligence of Human Rights responsible for Nigeria’s many challenges, says UN

The United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mathias Schemale, has identified human rights negligence as one of the factors responsible for the many challenges in Nigeria. 

The UN representative stated this in Abuja, yesterday, at the official Launch of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Client Response mechanism short code number, which is part of activities lined up to commemorate 2022 Human Rights Day.

He said: “The context of Nigeria here is that wherever and whenever humanity values are abandoned, we are all at greater risk so the solutions to the many challenges this country has are rooted in human rights for sure.
“In this respect, I would like to say that we are stepping up our efforts as UN, and working with the government, human rights commission, civil society organisations and other partners to deliver on the promise that was made in 1948 of achieving human rights for all.”
To improve on the adherence and advancement of the rights of Nigerians, Schemale disclosed that the UN has signed a new five-year plan with the Nigerian government towards the development and improvement of rights.

“Yesterday (Thursday), we signed an agreement with the Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Prince Clement Agba, a new five-year development corporation framework which spells out how the UN will support the Nigerian government in achieving the development aspirations of Nigerian citizens,” Schemale said.
He added that no nation advances without properly building human rights into political structures and processes.
According to him, the adopted Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is expected to be a guide to countries.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), disclosed that the commission would launch a presidential town hall meeting for presidential candidates towards inculcating human rights into political activities in the 2023 elections. 

Ojukwu also said Nigeria as a country needed to urgently input the rights campaigns into the political process and campaign for domestication in the next dispensation.
He disclosed that as part of activities to commemorate this year’s human rights day, which is celebrated every December 9, the Commission would present a thematic report on torture, extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearance.