The Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Tony Ojukwu Esq. has received two awards from media organizations as an acknowledgment of his hard work and good leadership qualities in the area of promotion, protection, and enforcement of human rights in Nigeria.
The awards titled Award of Leadership and Award of Excellence were presented to him at the headquarters of the Commission by the Arewa Journalist Forum (AJF) and the Boardroom Publications Ltd. respectively.
In his remarks during the award presentation, the President of AJF Hassan Galadima congratulated the Executive Secretary for the achievements recorded by the Commission, including, exceptional contribution towards building administrative model, human capacity development, and above all creating more human rights awareness in Nigeria.
In the same vein, the Editor in Chief and Publisher, Boardroom Publication Ltd, Mr. Jeffery Adaralegbe stated that his organization has been following the track record of the work of the NHRC and has recorded an appreciable success in the work of the Commission since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He noted that the Commission has not failed in its duty to protect the rights of everyone, as he further applauded the Executive Secretary’s leadership stance through the provision of toll-free lines to enable the less privileged members of the society to gain access to the services of the Commission.
Mr. Adaralegbe also gave kudos to the human rights boss for the current review of the NHRC Amendment Act at the National Assembly, and the enhanced visibility of the Commission through increased followership in the new media, as well as a holistic media report of the two panels set up by the Commission namely; Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and the SARS Panel.
In his response, Ojukwu applauded the management and staff of the Commission for their dedication and hard work in the advancement of the course of human rights in Nigeria despite the Commission’s lean resources. He expressed surprise at the comments made in the appreciation of the work of the Commission by the gentlemen of the pen profession saying” the gesture has encouraged us to do more”.
While thanking the two organizations for the awards, Ojukwu charged them to be more proactive in reporting the activities of the Commission and other relevant human rights issues that could assist in educating the masses on their rights.
