The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has pledged its support to ensure the implementation of the long-awaited Human Rights Funds.
The Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal made the pledge when he played host to the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu who led members of his management on a courtesy visit to the NGF’s Secretariat in Abuja.
In a signed statement by the Deputy Director Public Affairs, Fatimah Mohammed, Gov Tambuwal who appreciated the existence of the Commission in a democratic setting assured that the long-standing partnership between him and the Commission will be supported by the NGF as the Forum is an institution that supports democratic governance in Nigeria.
“We will work with you in the implementation of the funds as prescribed by section 15 of the Act, and the secretariat is also there to work with you in facilitating the implementation of the law which will engender independence of the Commission” He said
On the issue of funding, the former lawmaker expressed concern over the lean financial status of the Commission with which the Commission tries to pull all strings in order to deliver on its mandate, adding that the NHRC is an institution that must be supported in all ramifications.
“As a former member of the parliament, I know that you do not enjoy robust funding. The commission is one of the democratic institutions that we must all support; take out the human rights Commission, and you will see what will happen we need to do a lot more in the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria” Tambuwal noted.
Earlier the Executive Secretary of the Commission explained that the visit was to enable NHRC to have a robust discussion on the issue of operationalizing the human rights funds, through the NGF.
He said one of the key provisions of the amended Act was the financial autonomy of the Commission which could be achieved through the establishment of the Human Rights Funds under Section 15 of the NHRC Act (as amended).
The helmsman of the NHRC said that the Commission’s governing council intended to achieve this provision through consultation, sensitization, and advocacy, among others.
According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, “The human rights funds when realized will be paid into a dedicated account to be used for the purposes prescribed in the Act, and will accommodate and respect requests by donors on how funds donated may be utilized within the law”.
It could be recalled that the NHRC Act was amended in 2010 to address inadequate powers and funding challenges, which have hindered Commission from operating effectively since its establishment.
