By Emma Okereh
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Monday, organized a quiz competition for Junior Secondary Schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of its events for the commemoration of 2022 international human rights day. At the event held at the UN Building in Abuja, the Government Secondary school, Apo won the trophy for the first position in the Quiz Competition for Junior Secondary schools in the FCT. Government Secondary School Apo scored 27 points to clinch the first position while the second and third positions went to Capital Science School, Kado which scored 26 points and Intelligent Quotient School which scored 24 points respectively. A total of seven Junior Secondary schools in the FCT were part of the competition namely Government Secondary School , Apo, Prime Gate Academy, Glowing Ages, Intelligent Quotient, Community Secondary School, Asokoro, Capital Science School, Kado and Government Secondary School, Wuse. In his opening remarks at the event, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu who was represented by Mr. Harry Obe, Director, Women and Children Department noted that the rights under the UDHR have 30 Articles and it is on the core principles of human rights which are very fundamental. According to Ojukwu, it highlighted the need to recognise and ascribe dignity to every human being without discrimination on the basis of race, tribe, religion, gender, political choice etc. The theme for this year’s celebration which is Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All, the NHRC boss noted, reinforces the freedoms and equalities of every human persons. “Human rights are very crucial for ensuring that all persons are treated equally. These rights are based on shared values of dignity, equality, fairness and respect. The concept of human rights empowers people of all ages to speak up when their rights are violated, and to report when they notice human rights infringement against another person or group of persons. This therefore throws up the need for all persons to have a good knowledge of human rights, hence the concept of Human Rights Education.”
“The National Human Rights Commission as the agency charged with the mandate to promote, protect, and enforce human rights has adopted Human Rights Education as a tool and as a lifelong process that builds knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to promote and uphold human rights. It is hoped that a universal culture of recognizing human rights will be entrenched through knowledge-sharing, imparting of skills and molding attitudes in young learners and indeed all persons. As we test and celebrate our students on their knowledge of human rights, it is hoped that we also learn along and contribute our quota in entrancing a culture of human rights in our nation”. Earlier in a welcome remarks, a representative of the United Nations stated that the United Nation was put in the world to safeguard peace and expressed joy at seeing so many young people that are interested in human rights and who will be willing to to take up the work of human rights after the older generation has left the stage. The event was rounded off by a choral performance by the students of school of the blind, Jabi
