The Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, has joined the league of State Governors providing office accommodation to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the bid to support the promotion and protection of human rights in their States.
Receiving a delegation from the National Human Rights Commission, led by the Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, in his office during the week, Governor Suntai noted that any government worth its salt must not only ensure the provision of infrastructure but also create an enabling environment for the realization of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people.
The promotion and protection of human rights, the Governor stated, is a basic necessity of democracy and good governance.
The Governor directed the Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Njiwah Emmanuel, to provide a functional office accommodation and a Toyota Hilux van for the Commission’s use in Taraba to enable them reach out to the grassroots.
Earlier in his speech, the Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe stated that the Commission’s mandate derived from the United Nations resolution which enjoins member states to establish and strengthen national human rights institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Nigeria, he said, as a member of the international community abided by this resolution by establishing the NHRC in 1995. The Executive Secretary regretted that 15 years after its establishment the Commission’s operational base were limited to six zonal offices, a headquarters and a metropolitan office in Abuja.
“There is need for the Commission to reach out to a greater number of Nigerians and increase access to complainants as well as build partnerships with human rights stakeholders,” he said.
Prof. Angwe said he was impressed by the co-operation extended to the Commission by some State Governors stressing that human rights promotion and protection cannot be left alone to one institution.
“We require joint partnership with the Federal, States, Local Governments as well as community based organizations, faith-based organizations and community leaders”, he said.
Prof. Angwe commended Governor Suntai for his quick response to the request of the Commission and said it was a demonstration of responsibility on the part of his government.
