The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Bem Angwe, has described poverty and corruption as the greatest weapons of human rights abuse.
Receiving Country Director, Global Rights, an international organization working on access to justice, Prof. Angwe noted that in a country such as Nigeria, where a sizeable percentage of the population is poor and unaware of their rights there are bound to be serious human rights challenges.
The situation, the Executive Secretary noted, has also given rise to so much bitterness, discontent, violence and conflict situation that further exacerbate violation of human rights.
The Commission, he said, has set up a Conflict Prevention and Good Governance Department specifically to identify potential areas of conflict and to recommend appropriate remedies.
“…the NHRC will not wait until situations occur. In this regard, the Commission is working proactively with organizations that share our ideals of conflict prevention,” he said.
Prof. Angwe assured the Global Rights team that the NHRC will partner with them especially in areas of access to justice to ensure that Nigerians are given legal opportunities to address their problems.
In her remarks Ms Abiodun Baiyewu, Country Director, Global Rights commended the Executive Secretary for his performance within the short time he assumed office at the Commission noting that the human rights community is prepared to work with the Commission.
Ms Bayewa stated that Global Rights has been in existence in Nigeria for 5 years now training para-legals in providing first aids and access to justice services in the Northern part of the country.
Global Rights, she said, specializes in capacity building and is currently working in 7 countries of the world.
