From Alhassan Bala, Abuja

The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu Esq, said the Commission works assiduously to protect the rights of other people even at the risk of the lives of its staff.

Ojukwu made this assertion in Abuja, when he received COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical items donated to the Commission by Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) in collaboration with Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

The Chief Human Rights Officer explained that in order to address cases of human rights violations that emerge at all times, the Commission set up mechanisms to monitor violations as it works 24hrs round the clock even during the Covid-19 lockdown. He added that the Commission’s report during the lockdown assisted in stemming the tide of human rights violation perpetrated by some law enforcements agents.

He noted that mainstreaming human rights in all facets of the Nigerian society is key to good governance and that the Commission is determined to creating the culture of respect for human rights at all times .

The NHRC Boss said staff will be encouraged by the donations made by the Civil Society Organisations “it is heart-warming that people are thinking about protecting our lives as we fight for rights of others, this is really encouraging and it will strengthen our commitment to do our work better despite the challenges we encounter on the field” he added.

On her part, Ms Ogechi Oguh a Deputy Director from PRAWA, who made the presentation of the items comprising of hand sanitizers and facemasks, acknowledged the very important role the Commission plays in the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria. She said the Commission has remained active in the discharge of its mandate despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking further, Ms Oguh noted that the importance of the NHRC to Nigerians cannot be overemphasised, pointing that with the speculation of another spike of the Covid-19 pandemic by the Ministry of Health, providing branded facemasks and sanitizers to staff of the Commission, will go a long way in ensuring the safety and welfare of the staff as they remain on the frontline in promoting and protecting the rights of Nigerians at all times.