Our Reporter
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Monday , vowed to intensify efforts to monitor and document violations against journalists, while deepening collaboration with media organisations, and international partners.
It also expressed readiness to protect the rights of media professionals and to ensure accountability for perpetrators of violations.
The commitment was made at a media parley and unveiling of NHRC 30th Anniversary logo in Abuja.
At the special parley themed “Strengthening Media Partnership for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria.”, the executive secretary of the commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu condemned the increasing attack on journalists, insisting that, “Attacks on journalists are attacks on our democracy and on the public right to know”.
He stated that the commission strongly Condemns any attempts aimed at shrinking the civic space, the increasing wave of violence, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests targeting journalists across Nigeria.
The executive secretary further averred that the commission recognize the media as a powerful ally in the fight for human rights, stressing “your voices shape public opinion, expose injustice, and amplify the stories that matter”.
He noted that the Commission which was established in 1995, has evolved from a body once perceived as limited in independence to an exemplary, independent national human rights institution in Africa, maintaining that the Commission’s leadership emphasized its unwavering vision to remain a leading human rights institution in Africa and globally, committed to protecting and promoting the dignity of all Nigerians.
In a goodwill message, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall said “For me and the United Nations family, it is a joy of 30 years of courage and 30 years of unwavering commitment to service”.
“May the commission deepen its legacy as we look forward to 2026” he said.
The Deputy Head of the European Union, Mr. Zissimos Vergos said “we have recognize your role to Nigerians for safe guarding human rights”.
He added that the national human rights commission is a bridge between citizens and government.
In her goodwill message, the chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) FCT council, Ms Grace Ike who represented the national president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, emphasized that promotion of press freedom is non negotiable.
She said NUJ remains and maintain zero tolerance of any form of threat, pointing out that the NHRC is uniquely positioned to address these challenges.
Ike therefore called on the NHRC to translate mandate to concrete action, “we must do everything possible to protect journalists” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, in a keynote lecture titled “Media and Information Literacy (MIL), guest lecturer, Dr. Soremekun Oluseyi noted that the core concepts include skills, inclusivity, information integrity and Human Rights.
He said “It is about empowering individuals to critically engage with content and promote civic participation and informed decision-making”
Oluseyi stressed that pluralistic media is key for democracy.
The pathways forward according to him include to integrate MIL into schools, push for rights-based digital policies, demand for accountability from tech platforms and build coalitions to protect truth and rights.
The 30th Anniversary logo of the commission was unveiled by the executive secretary, Dr Ojukwu who was flanked by members of the high table.
He noted that the commission has transited from where it was in the beginning to an independent human rights body.
In her closing remarks, the Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages at the NHRC, Mrs. Fatima Mohammed Agwai, expressed appreciation to journalists for their continued partnership and commitment to amplifying the Commission’s human rights advocacy.
