News
Ojukwu in Geneva, calls for global action in support of older persons
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, has advocated for swift action towards an internationally binding Instrument on the rights of older persons.
Ojukwu made the call while speaking in Geneva, Switzerland at the February 2026 meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the rights of older persons.
He expressed concerns about discrimination, negligence, and violence faced by older persons in society.
A statement by Hajia Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages at NHRC, said the forum was organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) during the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva.
Dr. Ojukwu aligned with stakeholders in calling for conceptual clarity on Ageism and diversified national consultations.
He opined that collaboration with National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), older persons, and youth is critical to realizing the proposed convention.
The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria stressed building ownership, sidestepping abstract debates, and securing a globally acclaimed convention for today and tomorrow.
Dr. Ojukwu reassured the forum of Nigeria’s human rights commitment to its citizens and the international community.
He proposed that the IGWG’s Rules of Procedure draws from the Open-Ended Working Group, with clear modifications for delegates to follow.
The Executive Secretary further suggested tasking friendly states or experts with proposing a draft text of the Instrument to form the basis of consultations and negotiations by stakeholders, before the July 2026 meeting by the IGWG on rights of older persons.
Dr. Ojukwu emphasized that NHRIs and civil society must remain mainstreamed as society’s “conscience,” while hybrid meetings should be adopted as part of the working methodology of the IGWG in order to prioritize participation of older persons and relevant stakeholders.
In conclusion, he emphasized the need to always honour the mantra, “leave no one behind” and “nothing about us without us”, in the spirit of human rights promotion of the right of older persons.
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
News
Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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