NHRC Appeals to FG, Bayelsa for Enhanced Resources Amidst Growing Human Rights Concerns

By Eunice Nnachi

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a strong appeal to both the Federal and Bayelsa State governments, urging them to provide critical resources to support the commission’s operations in the state.

The plea emphasises the critical need for improved infrastructure and assistance in effectively addressing human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and children.

Dr. Eugene Barikpeg Baadom, Deputy Director of Investigation at the NHRC, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the federal secretariat in Yenagoa by Lady Eunice Nnachi, Executive Director of the Women Organised for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN).

Dr. Baadom emphasised the commission’s multifaceted role in promoting, protecting, enforcing, collaborating, advocating, and sensitising people about their fundamental human rights.

“Every human being has inherent rights and deserves to know these rights,” Dr. Baadom said, emphasising the importance of strengthening the NHRC’s ability to carry out its mandate.

Dr. Baadom outlined several key demands from the state and federal governments that are critical for increasing the NHRC’s effectiveness in Bayelsa:

Operational Vehicles: The commission requires vehicles to improve mobility and response to human rights violations reported throughout the state, particularly in remote areas.
Functional Office: A well-equipped office is required to provide a comfortable environment for stakeholders, employees, and victims of human rights violations.
Shelter and Remand Home: Adequate facilities are critical for providing shelter and care to vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children in crisis.

Aside from resource requests, Dr. Baadom addressed pressing societal issues, advising women to avoid cohabitation, which he associated with an increase in out-of-school children and juvenile delinquency. He emphasised the importance of stable family environments for child well-being and development.

Dr. Baadom also requested assistance from the Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), highlighting the importance of collaboration between government agencies and local authorities in promoting human rights and development in the region.

“By collaborating, the Yenagoa LGA, NDDC, and the National Human Rights Commission can create a more effective and sustainable framework for promoting human rights and development in Bayelsa State,” he said.

The NHRC director also emphasised the critical need to complete the Borster Prison project in Brass Local Government Area (LGA). The project, which is currently 80% complete, aims to provide a modern and humane correctional facility that addresses prison congestion while also protecting inmates’ human rights.

“The government must prioritise the completion of this project to ensure that the inmates’ human rights are protected,” Dr. Baadom emphasised.

Earlier in the visit, Lady Eunice Nnachi, representing WOMAN, requested collaboration and partnership with the NHRC, emphasising the importance of joint efforts in promoting and protecting human rights, particularly those of women and girls.

“We believe that collaboration is essential for achieving our objectives, and we look forward to collaborating with the NHRC to promote and protect human rights in Bayelsa State,” Lady Nnachi stated.

WOMAN, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women and girls through mentorship, advocacy, and networking, hopes to expand its impact by partnering with the NHRC.

The NHRC State Director welcomed the invitation to collaborate, expressing the commission’s commitment to working with WOMAN to advance human rights in the state.

The NHRC’s appeal comes as Bayelsa State is actively working to improve healthcare access and protect vulnerable populations. The Bayelsa State Ministry of Health and the Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, Dr. Gloria Diri, recently launched a comprehensive measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Yenagoa’s Peace Park.

Dr. Diri emphasised the importance of the measles-rubella vaccine in protecting children from serious complications like convulsions, blindness, brain damage, and even death. This initiative, supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and a number of local organisations, demonstrates a commitment to prioritising child health and well-being.

The campaign involves the collective advocacy of organisations like the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Core Group on Women and Girls’ Health (C-WINS), WHO, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Gloria Diri Foundation (GDF), Eunice Nnachi Women Advocacy Foundation (ENWAF), Women Organised for Mentorship and Advocacy Network (WOMAN), Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and Women’s Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WO).

The appeal by the NHRC, as well as the ongoing vaccination campaign, highlight the multifaceted efforts required to address Bayelsa State’s human rights and development challenges.

Securing the necessary resources for the NHRC, completing critical infrastructure projects such as the Borster Prison, and prioritising healthcare initiatives are all necessary steps towards creating a more just and equitable society for all Bayelsa State residents.

The success of these initiatives is dependent on the responsiveness of the federal and state governments, as well as ongoing collaboration among government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local communities.