Nigeria @66: NHRC Says Reforms Must Deliver Dignity, Justice, Shared Prosperity for Nigerians

Nigeria @66: NHRC Says Reforms Must Deliver Dignity, Justice, Shared Prosperity for Nigerians

By Our Reporter

Abuja (Core Reporters)- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged governments at all levels, security agencies and public institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s reform efforts translate into greater human dignity, equality, justice and shared prosperity for citizens.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), made the call in his Independence Day message as Nigeria marks its 66th anniversary, stressing that the success of ongoing reforms must ultimately be measured by their impact on the lives, rights and dignity of ordinary Nigerians.

Reflecting on the national theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,” Ojukwu said sustainable economic growth and national development could only be achieved when the benefits of progress were broadly shared and vulnerable groups protected from disproportionate hardship.

He commended the resilience, creativity and determination of Nigerians in confronting the country’s social, economic and political challenges, while urging government to strengthen social protection mechanisms, expand access to basic services and ensure that economic policies remained consistent with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.

The NHRC Executive Secretary also charged law enforcement and security agencies to uphold professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights in the discharge of their responsibilities.

According to him, national security must go hand in hand with the protection of fundamental rights, while the rule of law, an independent and effective justice system and meaningful access to justice must remain central to Nigeria’s democratic development.

He particularly called for greater protection and access to justice for poor and vulnerable Nigerians, including persons with disabilities, women, children and internally displaced persons.

Ojukwu further urged public institutions to deepen citizens’ trust through transparency, accountability and responsive governance, while calling on Nigerians to uphold peaceful coexistence, civic responsibility and respect for the rights of others.

He acknowledged the contributions of civil society organisations, the media and human rights defenders to the strengthening of democracy, accountability and fundamental freedoms, noting that an open and vibrant civic space remained essential to sustainable national development.

The NHRC boss reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working 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.

He said the transition from reforms to lasting stability required more than economic transformation, but a Nigeria where every citizen enjoys 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 66th Independence anniversary.