Connect with us

News

Executive Secretary NHRC champions ethical business practices, justice for victims, and education-driven human rights reform

Published

on

 

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, SAN, on Wednesday addressed journalists in Kano following the Stakeholder’s Consultative Forum on Business and Human Rights, held under the framework of a Tripartite Partnership to support National Human Rights Institutions.

Ojukwu decried the exploitation of labour by some companies, describing it as a tactic used to boost profits at the expense of human dignity. “The issue of exploration by labour is one tactic deployed by companies to enhance their profit,” he said. “The guiding principles of doing business and human rights is saying business is not all about profit. It needs to be ethical because it doesn’t make sense you’re exploiting people. You can still make profit without exploiting your workers.”

He commended the Nigerian government for adopting the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which he said underscores the responsibility of the state to protect human rights, the obligation of businesses to respect them, and the need for accountability in cases of violations. “What we are now promoting is consciousness people have to conduct their business in an ethical and responsible way,” he stated.

Ojukwu emphasized that enforcement of these principles would be anchored on mechanisms such as human rights due diligence, human rights impact assessments, and business impact assessments. “All businesses need to comply with the certificate on a yearly basis,” he explained. “Under due diligence, the labour of the company have something to do. Why it’s happening now is because nobody is checking what the company is doing. But now that the National Action Plan is being adopted, due diligence will show the level of compliance of every company. The National Human Rights Commission will drive the process. I’m sure with time all these kind of things will no longer be there.”

On the implementation of the EndSARS Commission of Inquiry recommendations, Ojukwu revealed that the NHRC has paid over N500 million in compensation to victims of rights violations. “It has never been done in the past in Nigeria. People whose rights were violated were paid in line with what the Constitution of Nigeria said,” he noted. “We recommended that some officers be disciplined, be prosecuted.”

Advert

He added that the NHRC Governing Council had visited the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Argungu, in August to discuss the implementation of these recommendations. “Incidentally, the current IGP requested us to submit the report to him. So it’s not like we have forgotten. I want to assure that these recommendations will be implemented by time, even though some of the police officers occupy high positions.”

Addressing the issue of underfunding, Ojukwu acknowledged it as a global challenge for human rights institutions. “The issue of underfunding of the National Human Rights Commission is a top one all over the globe,” he said. “I have engaged the federal government and I assure you that they will change the situation. Our funding will be enhanced.”

He also disclosed efforts to amend the NHRC Act to activate the National Human Rights Fund, which would support the Commission’s operations. “Measures have been taken to see how we can alleviate the poor funding of the Commission,” he added.

On the rising cases of sexual and gender-based violence, Ojukwu praised the establishment of the sexual violence register domiciled at NAPTIP. “I commend the initiative to name and shame the offenders,” he said. “The issue of sexual and gender-based violence is becoming so endemic in this country.”

He stressed the importance of public awareness and education in combating the menace. “I try to check through research whether this is connected with poverty, ignorance. We can do away with this through sensitization and awareness. If you don’t know your right, you can’t protect it. It is good to know your right.”

Continuing his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, emphasized the critical role of education in safeguarding children from abuse and exploitation. “It is of paramount importance to educate the girl child and boys on how to protect themselves against perpetrators,” he said, stressing that awareness and knowledge are powerful tools in the fight against human rights violations.

Ojukwu commended the Kano State Government for prioritizing education, describing it as a visionary investment in the future. “I commend Kano State Government for taking education as its key priority. The reward will be in the future,” he noted. “Any government that invests in education empowers its own people, so I commend the Kano State Governor for taking this step. The reward may not be today, but in the very near future.”

He expressed optimism that the combined efforts in human rights awareness and educational development would yield significant progress in the state. “I strongly believe that with the level of awareness of human rights and the investment in education, human rights violations will be drastically reduced very soon in Kano,” he concluded.

News

JUST IN: National Assembly to Re-gazette Tax Laws Amid Controversy

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to re-gazette four major tax reform acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions officially passed by parliament, following public controversy over discrepancies in the published laws.

In a Friday statement, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi said the leadership of both chambers authorized the move to “protect the integrity of the legislative record,” describing it as an administrative step to accurately reflect parliamentary decisions.

The directive addresses growing scrutiny over the Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (2025), and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025)—particularly concerning harmonization of bills, documentation sent for presidential assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.

Advert

Rotimi emphasized that the legislature is addressing the matter within its constitutional authority. Last week, the House formed a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the legislative and administrative handling of the acts.

“The Committee, alongside relevant National Assembly bodies, is conducting an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors,” he stated, noting the review will examine potential “lapses, irregularities, or external interferences.”

The process, he added, complies fully with the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, and parliamentary standing orders.

While the re-gazetting aims to “clear any ambiguity,” Rotimi clarified that the review “does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority.” He also stated the action is without prejudice to other arms of government and does not affect existing rights or legal processes.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the House pledged to take “appropriate corrective measures” if procedural refinements are needed.

The public was urged to allow the institutional process to proceed “without speculation or conjecture.”

Continue Reading

News

Airstrikes: Activist Sowore Decries Reckless Breach of Sovereignty By the U.S Government

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a fierce condemnation of a confirmed U.S. military airstrike inside Nigeria, labeling the action a dangerous breach of sovereignty and an “imperialist move” by President Donald Trump.

Sowore’s warning follows President Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that he had ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria. Trump justified the operation, stating the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” and that he had delivered promised retribution: “there was hell to pay.”

While the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strike was conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities,” Sowore argued that direct foreign military intervention is a catastrophic precedent.

Advert

“Nobody should be rejoicing about this,” Sowore stated. “The U.S. could help the Nigerian military, but U.S. military carrying out an attack inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad.”

He described the event as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and Independence.”

The strike triggered panic on the ground in Sokoto State. Residents of Jabo village reported a sudden, loud explosion on Christmas night, with many fearing an imminent attack. “It happened suddenly… The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” one eyewitness said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for “Nigerian government support & cooperation” and ominously added there would be “more to come.”

The operation marks a sharp and controversial escalation of U.S. counter-terrorism activity in West Africa, raising urgent questions about sovereignty, foreign intervention, and the future of regional security partnerships.

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria Aides U.S in Sokoto Airstrike Against ISIS

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Donald J. Trump has announced that the United States carried out targeted military strikes against ISIS–affiliated militants in north-west Nigeria, marking a sharp escalation in American counter-terrorism operations in West Africa.

In a late-night statement published on Truth Social, the U.S. President said the operation was conducted under his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief, describing it as “a powerful and deadly strike” aimed at extremist elements responsible for repeated attacks in the region.

According to Mr Trump, the militants had been involved in brutal assaults on local communities, particularly targeting Christian populations. He said he had previously warned the group of consequences if the violence continued.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians… I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the statement read in part.

Advert

He added that the “Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes,” asserting that the U.S. would not allow extremist groups to flourish under his leadership.

While the President praised the American military, he also issued a stern warning to the militants, saying there would be further consequences if attacks on civilians persisted.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that it provided the intelligence needed to the United States government concerning the airstrike.

“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” said the ministry.

It further stated that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

On the particular location of the strike in the northwestern part of the country, netizens, particularly from Sokoto State, have confirmed that a rocket landed in Jabo Ward, under Tambuwal LG of Sokoto State, Nigeria this same night.

Similarly, the United States Africa Command(AFRICOM), an organization responsible for the United States military operations in the continent, in a series of posts on X, said the airstrikes were launched based on requests of the Nigerian government.

“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists. Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the statement reads.

Continue Reading

Trending