The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today, Thursday 12th,2022 in Abuja flagged off the 2022 Nationwide Audit of Custodial and Detention centers.The Chairperson, Governing Council, National Human Rights Commission, Dr Salamatu Suleiman led the Commission’s delegation to the Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service NCoS , Abuja for the flag off of the exercise.
Dr Salamatu Suleiman said that inmates in Custodial Facilities are entitled to enjoy general human rights including the right to good health pursuant to international human rights standards or best practices.
She restated that welfare and access to medical care for all inmates cannot be overemphasised given the importance of healthcare to citizens, particularly the inmates, who are vulnerable.
The NHRC Chairperson however appealed to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to give NHRC Officials and the Medical Team of its partner, Gift Health Plus Inc USA,the required maximum cooperation to ensure that the medical outreach during the 2022 Audit of Correctional Centres across the Country is successful
In his remarks, the Controller General of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service NCoS, Haliru Nababa,who was represented by the Deputy Controller General of Corrections (Covering Duties) Health and Welfare, Marylaurine Melchizedek commended the NHRC and Gift Health Plus for donating the medical items to the Service, stated that comprehensive and efficient health care was essential to every citizen, especially vulnerable inmates.
The CGC recalled that relevant Section of the Nigerian Constitution and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), particularly in goal Three stressed the welfare and security of citizens as the primary purpose of government.
“The NCoS has lived up to its mandate to provide safe and legal custody to inmates so as to ensure their physical and mental well-being, despite our the lean resources and excruciating circumstances,” the Comtroller General added.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Director Gift Health Plus Inc, Chamberlain Nwanne assured that his organization would continue to work together with the NHRC and NCoS to impact positively on the rights of inmates across Nigeria.
He declared that his organisation has found dependable partners in the NHRC and the NCoS, saying that the 1000 eyeglasses and 500 prenatal drugs are targeted at meeting some of the health needs of those in detention facilities, as a measure to further protect their right to health.
The flag off of 2022 nationwide audit of custodial and detention centers is expected to take place across the Thirty-six states of the federation.
The highlights of the occasion were symbolic signing of NCoS visitor’s register by the Chairperson, NHRC Governing Council, Dr Salamatu Suleiman,and presentation of 1000 eye glasses and 500 prenatal drugs to NCoS by the Executive Director Gift Health Plus Inc USA, Chamberlain Nwanne, in collaboration with the NHRC,for onward delivery to the inmates.
