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By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has made a fervent appeal to Nigerians to contribute to the Human Rights Fund, which remains entirely unfunded.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, made the appeal during an awareness walk in Abuja to mark International Human Rights Day, celebrated annually on December 10.
Ojukwu emphasised the critical need for public support, stating: “We need resources because all these initiatives cannot be accomplished without funding. The government is making efforts, but there is much more to be done.”
He urged Nigerians to take ownership of human rights advocacy, adding: “It is not solely the government’s responsibility to address human rights violations; private individuals and companies can also play a significant role.”
Ojukwu, who commended RoLAC for its valuable support in ensuring the programme’s success, said: “We need resources because all these things cannot be done without resources. The government is trying, but they can do a lot better and a lot more.
“Private individuals and companies can also donate. It doesn’t have to be cash; they can donate equipment like computers, laptops, vehicles, tables, and chairs. All these contributions help.
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“So we call upon Nigerians to see addressing the rights of Nigerians as a collective responsibility, not one left solely to the government. There is a Human Rights Fund, and nobody has donated one naira to it. Why can’t we have private individuals in this country who can afford to donate ₦100 million, which wouldn’t significantly impact their wealth?
“By donating, they would be contributing to reducing the number of displaced persons, children begging on the streets, women thrown out of their homes, and children who have no shelter or access to education. All these issues are visible when you observe the data—children abandoned because their parents can no longer bear the responsibility.”
The awareness walk, organised in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), saw participants marching from Eagle Square to the NHRC headquarters in Maitama.
Participants carried placards with messages such as “Stand for equality, fight for humanity” and “Break the chains of inequality, advance human rights.”
The Chairperson of the NHRC Governing Council, Salamatu Suleiman, echoed Ojukwu’s sentiments, stressing that human rights should be celebrated daily, not just on designated occasions like International Human Rights Day. She remarked: “We must focus on out-of-school children; if they are educated, it will eliminate many societal vices.”
International Human Rights Day is celebrated annually on December 10 to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It marks the high point of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which commenced on November 25.
