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NHRC calls for implementation of National Mental Health Act
As Nigeria joins humanity to mark the World Mental Health Day, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, has called on the government to implement the National Mental Health Act, 2023.
He said the activation of the Act would enhance realization of Mental Health Rights in Nigeria and called for humane treatment of Persons with Mental Health Conditions, psycho-social or cognitive disabilities – as they also ought to be beneficiaries of Right to Dignity of the Human Person.
In a statement Monday which he personally signed, Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said that in alliance with other Mental Health advocates, the Commission was at the forefront of advocacy for legislative intervention in the area of mental health in Nigeria. This culminated in the Presidential Assent in January 2023 , to the Mental Health Bill earlier passed into law by the National Assembly in 2021.
The National Mental Health Act, he said, therefore represents a commitment of government to progressively realize right to health pursuant to its obligation under the International Covenant on Economic , Social and Cultural Rights. Remarkably, the Act reaffirms Mental Health as a Human Right.
Ojukwu said- “This is symbolic having been eloquently re-echoed in the theme for 2023 World Mental Health Day which is “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’.
“The right to health is all encompassing of the various health components including mental health as acknowledged by World Health Organization and guaranteed by the Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. The constitution also provides for Right to Health in Chapter 2 and there are government efforts to give effect to the right by other domestic legislation such as National Health Act (2014). Furthermore, the UN Convention on “Rights of Persons with Disabilities reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“This includes Mental Disability !
“Having passed the Mental Health Bill into law and subsequent Presidential assent , what next? How have the spirit and letters of the legislation been operationalized ? How available is Mental Health care in the country? How accessible are they? Are they affordable? It needs to be underscored that Availability, Accessibility and Affordability are central to government obligation in relation to all economic, social and cultural rights.
The National Human Rights Commission therefore urges government to take further progressive steps to give effect to the legislation in order to enhance mental health in Nigeria.
“Indeed, Mental Health Rights are Human Rights as the theme of this year’s Global Mental Health Day reinforces. Therefore, besides right to healthcare, other mental health rights include- right to dignity of the human person, and freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; right to non discrimination and right to life among others.
“In addition to legislative intervention, social advocacy is crucial. Supported by Civil Society Organizations, relevant government Institutions i.e ( Ministry of Information and National Orientation Agency) should be in the fore-front to advance enlightenment regarding mental health and to dispel myths, superstition , ignorance and misconceptions about Mental illness in order to create a climate of understanding and acceptance so that people with psychosocial , cognitive- disabilities or substance abuse problems are meaningfully integrated in families and society; protected from stigma, discrimination, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment such as beating, flogging, chaining among other abusive conduct to which those affected with mental health condition are subjected.”
According to the Chief Human Rights officer in Nigeria, it is also critical for government to urgently scale up measures to address economic and social conditions that affect mental well being of persons in Nigeria so that Nigerians and people in Nigeria will have the appropriate mental health balance to contend with life.
“As we mark the 2023 Global Mental Health Day, these human rights imperatives ought to be on the front burner of government and governance.
“Indeed, mental health rights are human rights,” Dr. Ojukwu stated.
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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.
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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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