The Nigerian Government has been called upon to rise up and resolve cases of human rights violations and abuses pending before various courts in the country.
Minister of Women affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, made the call at a forum of National Human Rights Commission and the Civil Society Organizations in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.
The forum is part of activities marking the International Human Rights Day 2022 with the theme ‘Dignity, freedom and justice for all.’
The Minister said cases of gender based violence are rampant in courts that requires to be judiciously resolved.
Mrs. Tallen who stressed the need for the improvement of human rights advocacy in the country, called on Nigerians to rise up to the promotion and defence of any right violations.
The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Mr Anthony Ojukwu SAN, who explained the rationale behind the commission’s forum with the Civil Society Organizations said, it was with the aim of advancing the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.
Ojukwu called for all hands to be on deck and resources pooled together to advance a human right centered approach to governance and development in Nigeria.
“This Forum which we are pioneering today is a huge step in this direction.”
He identified Civil Society Organizations as key stakeholders in promoting human rights in Nigeria.
Also, the Ambassador to the republic of Benin, Mrs.Paulette Marcelline who described the relationship between her country and Nigeria as solid, expressed the need for the two countries to work together to address challenges confronting them.
The Executive Director, Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, (PRAWA), Mrs Uju Agomoh in her presentation stressed the need for effective collaboration between the National Human Rights Commission and the Civil Society Organizations to advance the course of human rights protection and promotion in Nigeria.