Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, has been elected into the Bureau of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s participation in global human rights governance.
The development is widely regarded as a recognition of the NHRC’s increasing influence and contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights at both regional and international levels.
Speaking on the achievement, Ojukwu described the election as a testament to Nigeria’s growing role in advancing human rights globally. He noted that membership of GANHRI’s governing body places Nigeria in a strategic position to contribute to key policy decisions shaping the global human rights agenda.
As a Bureau member, Ojukwu will participate in implementing institutional decisions, overseeing the alliance’s operations, and assessing applications for membership from national human rights institutions across the world.
His election followed his recent appointment as President of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa (NNHRI-WA), further strengthening Nigeria’s leadership presence within regional and international human rights systems.
Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages at the NHRC, Fatimah Mohammed, described the development as a major achievement that underscored international confidence in Nigeria’s human rights institution and its reform efforts.
The NHRC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, strengthening institutional partnerships, and advancing the protection of fundamental rights in Nigeria and beyond.
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