COMMONWEALTH DAY 2024: NHRC reaffirms commitment to strengthening partnerships towards peaceful, sustainable common future

COMMONWEALTH DAY 2024: NHRC reaffirms commitment to strengthening partnerships towards peaceful, sustainable common future

By Toffa Momoh, Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has reaffirmed its commitment in upholding the values of the Commonwealth by enhancing efforts and strengthening partnerships towards a peaceful and sustainable common future.

The Commission hampered on strengthening cooperation and collaboration to address global challenges such as poverty, climate change and conflict.

The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, gave the assurance at an event to commemorate the 2024 Commonwealth Day at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

According to the NHRC scribe, this year’s commemoration with the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth” creates a moment for reflection by members and citizens of the Commonwealth on the core values of peace, democracy and human rights.

‘‘This year’s commemoration with the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Commonwealth” creates a moment for reflection by members and citizens of the Commonwealth on the core values of peace, democracy and human rights which are the foundation upon which this very unique institution is built. The commemoration also provides an opportunity to recommit ourselves to achieving these ideals and to advance cooperation towards achieving the goal of the Commonwealth – unity, peace, progress and prosperity of nations which recognizes diversity, human dignity and a sustainable future.

‘‘The National Human Rights Commission identifies today with the ideals and purpose of the Commonwealth and joins all member states to celebrate the Commonwealth on this special occasion. As Nigeria’s premier National Human Rights Institution, I want to use this auspicious occasion to promote one of our main mandates, which is national and international cooperation for the advancement of human rights. We are honoured that we are having in our midst today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and the High Commissions of the Commonwealth to share this moment with us.

‘‘The Commonwealth is a historic platform that promotes democracy, peace and human rights, core values that deliver sustainable development and

prosperity to all. The National Human Rights Commission shares these values and believes that its mission to promote, protect and enforce human rights fits squarely into these principles.

‘‘In many parts of the world today, we are faced with numerous social, political, economic and conflict related challenges which impact on the attainment of the values which we celebrate here today. From climate change, insecurity, undemocratic interferences to hunger, inequalities, conflicts of diverse classifications, among many others with attendant consequences on the enjoyment of human rights, an environment of peace and sustainable development. In the midst of this gloomy picture, lies a bright hope that coming together as nations and peoples we can chart a course that can bring us to dialogue on ways we can improve upon our society and create an environment that will advance the course of the wellbeing of humanity, this lies at the background of the unique opportunity presented by this event.

‘‘This year’s theme is unique as it focuses on the challenges we face as a people. Building resilience is a developmental imperative through which nations and people drive through common challenges through cooperation and belief. Through resilience we can build a common future that will birth to us the commonwealth of our dreams. This we can achieve through collaborations and mutual support among us in harnessing our unique strengths in facing headlong, the monsters challenging our world. Recognizing the complexities we face; we cannot record success without a coordinated effort in finding lasting solutions to achieve sustainable development goals. The NHRC Boss, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN chronicled.

In his goodwill messages, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, represented by the Director of International Affairs, Ambassador Obinna Onu, called for collaboration and partnership to build a better future for all.

Ambassador Tuggar called for collaborative efforts to champion democracy and human rights within the commonwealth of nations.

For his part, the Representative of the Chairman, Commonwealth of Nation, Ambassador, High Commission of Rwanda in Nigeria, Veini Rubagumia, expressed the need for commitment and collaborative efforts towards advancing the goals of the Commonwealth.

Also speaking at the occasion, representative of the Child Affairs, High Commission of Malaysia, Chin Kupa called on member states to harness their strength by building resilience, unlocking potentials and fostering a connected digital commonwealth.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is: One Resilient Common Future; Transforming our Common Wealth.