The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged governments at all levels, security agencies and public institutions to place human dignity, equality and justice at the heart of Nigeria’s drive from reforms to stability and shared prosperity.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, made the call in an Independence Day message marking Nigeria’s 66th anniversary.
Ojukwu commended Nigerians for their resilience, creativity and determination in the face of the country’s social, economic and political challenges.
Reflecting on the theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,” the NHRC boss said the success of government reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on the lives, rights and dignity of ordinary Nigerians.
He said economic growth and national development could only be sustainable when the benefits of progress were broadly shared and vulnerable and disadvantaged groups protected from disproportionate hardship.
Ojukwu urged governments to strengthen social protection programmes, expand access to basic services and ensure that economic policies remained 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 fundamental rights, stressing that national security must go hand in hand with the protection of citizens’ rights.
The NHRC executive secretary further advocated a stronger rule of law, an independent and effective justice system and meaningful access to justice, particularly for the poor, persons with disabilities, women, children, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
He urged public institutions to build public trust through transparency, accountability and responsive governance, while calling on citizens to uphold peaceful coexistence, civic responsibility and respect for the rights of others.
Ojukwu also acknowledged the contributions of civil society organisations, the media and human rights defenders to democracy, accountability and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
He said an open and vibrant civic space remained essential to sustainable national development.
“As Nigeria moves forward, we reaffirm 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 NHRC boss said.
Ojukwu added that moving from reforms to lasting stability required more than economic transformation, but a Nigeria where every citizen enjoyed equal protection of the law, access to justice, dignity and meaningful opportunities to participate in national development.
The NHRC wished Nigerians a peaceful and meaningful Independence anniversary.
