Connect with us

News

NHRC officers undergo digital training to tackle emerging rights challenges

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

Several officers of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), are participating in a training workshop aimed at equipping them with information and techniques necessary to combat emerging challenges in various aspects of rights violations.

The two-day training programme is themed: “Understanding and Protecting Digital Rights in the 21st Century,” and is designed for legal and investigation officers of the Commission,

Speaking before declaring the workshop open, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, said while the digital era presents opportunities for economic growth, civic participation, and innovation, it also comes with significant challenges, including surveillance, censorship, data breaches, and online abuse.

Ojukwu called for enhanced capacity among legal and investigation officers to address emerging challenges in the digital space, adding that the rapid evolution of technology has made digital rights central to the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.

He noted that rights such as freedom of expression, privacy, and association remain fully applicable in the digital age, stressing that they must be safeguarded as more Nigerians engage online through mobile devices and internet platforms.

According to him, these developments have created complex legal and investigative questions around balancing national security with individual privacy, as well as protecting citizens from online harm without undermining democratic freedoms.

The NHRC Executive Secretary emphasized that legal and investigation officers now play a critical frontline role in addressing violations related to unlawful data processing, privacy breaches, and misuse of technology by both state and non-state actors.

He said the training was designed to equip participants with the knowledge of key legal frameworks such as the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015, as amended.

Ojukwu also highlighted the growing role of the judiciary in shaping digital rights jurisprudence, citing a recent Federal High Court judgment in Akosa v. Eat & Go Ltd., where damages were awarded over unsolicited marketing messages, as a significant milestone in data privacy protection.

He outlined three key pillars for safeguarding digital rights: aligning technological innovation with human rights values, strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, and adopting creative and resilient approaches to emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence.

He further stressed the need for partnerships with institutions including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Nigerian Communications Commission, and civil society organisations to ensure effective protection of citizens’ rights in the digital ecosystem.

He urged participants to actively engage during the workshop, challenge assumptions, and apply the knowledge gained to strengthen the Commission’s response to digital rights violations.

Ojukwu reaffirmed that protecting digital rights is essential to sustaining democracy and human dignity, describing the internet as a critical gateway for the exercise of fundamental freedoms in the 21st century.

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Enugu State govt suspends monarch for hosting Peter Obi

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

The Enugu State Government has suspended His Royal Majesty, Igwe Eze William Ezugwu, the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Ogbozalla Opi Autonomous Community, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state.

The state government accused Igwe Ezugwu of violating provisions of the state’s Traditional Rulers Law.

In a letter of suspension dated September 24, the Enugu State Government cited his alleged failure to constitute his cabinet, failure to establish a Town Union governing body, and persistent conduct deemed inconsistent with the laws governing traditional rulers in the state.

The suspension comes barely three weeks after Igwe William Ezugwu received NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi at his palace in Opi, Nsukka LGA, where he reportedly blessed Obi’s presidential ambition.

Continue Reading

News

Bandits ambush, kill Plateau state deputy commander, operation rainbow CSP Babale

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

The Deputy Commander of Operation Rainbow, CSP (Chief Superintendent of Police) Dennis David Babale, has been killed after gunmen suspected to be Fulani Bandits ambushed personnel of the security outfit along the Bokkos-Barkin Ladi road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Operation Rainbow is a State-backed community security and intelligence-gathering outfit in Plateau State, Nigeria, originally established in 2010 under former Governor Jonah Jang and recently revamped by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to combat rural violence and beef up grassroots security.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 4:06 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 when the personnel, travelling in a Toyota Hilux vehicle, came under attack by unidentified gunmen.

Troops of Sector 4, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), responded to a distress report and moved to the location of the attack.

Sources told reporters that Babale sustained gunshot wounds during the ambush and was evacuated to the General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, for medical attention.

Following the attack, troops, working alongside personnel of other security agencies, launched offensive operations and a manhunt for the assailants within the general area.

Security forces have intensified efforts to track the attackers and prevent further attacks along the route.

 

Continue Reading

News

What NiMet DG Anosike, others discussed at WMO dialogue in China

Published

on

Please Kindly Share This Story

Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the World Meteorological Organization, Prof. Charles Anosike and other Chief Executive Officers of similar agencies across the world, have concluded a one week high level dialogue on Climate Science Information for Climate Finance and the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange (SOFE) in Beijing, China.

The event which was hosted by World Meteorological Organization (WMO), took place from September 14 to 18, 2026 and featured discussions on: strengthening the role and leadership development of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in mobilizing climate finance; aligning scientific and technical capabilities with risk-informed, people-centred early warning systems; shifting from technical assistance to sustainable investments by expanding practical cooperation between meteorological frameworks and multilateral financing entities; and support to NMHSs leadership on strengthening strategic thinking and fostering productive partnerships.

Held back-to-back with the High-level dialogue was the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange to Fujian Province for first-hand exposure to the implementation of Multi-hazard, Alert, Zero-gap and Universal (MAZU) platform – China’s AI-driven meteorological early warning solution in support of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and disaster risk reduction practices through technical exchanges, field visits and peer learning.

Continue Reading

Trending