Members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters have harmonized their divergent views on the proposed amendments to the National Human Rights Commission Act 2010.
To this end, the Joint Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters in both the upper and lower legislative chambers of the National Assembly has agreed on the imperatives of the amendment to the National Human Rights Act 2010 for the protection of citizen’s rights.
Speaking at a public hearing organised by the Joint Committee, both the Senate President Sen.Dr Ahmad Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said that the public hearing on the proposed amendment to the NHRC Act 2010 to establish a fund for the rights agency is appealing and a welcome development.
The Senate President who was represented by Sen Prof.Ajayi Boroffice reitatrated that human rights are unbelievable rights of the citizens that are constitutionally guaranteed and they are within the confines of the laws of the nation.
He noted while declaring the even open that the joint committee of both chambers of the apex legislative institution are united for the purpose of achieving the proposed amendment to the NHRC Act 2010 in order to provide protection for citizens rights.
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila said that the National Human Rights Commission is an important national institution saddled with the responsibility of protection of citizen’s rights.
Represented by Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Nkiruka Onyejecha,he said the public hearing is nation building is a joint task and commended the joint committee for organizing the public hearing.
Moreover, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sen.Opeyemi Bamidele and his House Counterpart Hon Dr.John.Dyegh expressed the views that the proposed amendment which inclues the establishment of the National Human Rights Fund would strengthen the agency.
Other key stakeholders notably the Nigerian Laws Reform Commission, Legal Aids Council, Federal Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders also lauded the initiative to provide a new legal framework to the Commissioning noting that the the proposal to amend the NHRC Act 2010 is key to redirecting the wheels of the nation towards progress.
