The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu Esq has described on going retreat for new governing council members and management of the commission as key to understanding the operations of the commission, saying it will set priorities right.
According to Ojukwu, the retreat was inevitable to the smooth and focused operations of the commission.
He emphasised the it was strategic as a management process to start with a retreat before embarking on a serious assignment like the one given to the governing council members.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC made this known in a welcome statement at the beginning of a 4-day retreat for new governing council members and management of the commission held in Abuja.
The Chief Human Rights Officer recalled that having inaugurated the council on 2nd of August, it became necessary to organise the retreat to midwife a smooth take off of the new governing council.
He observed that some of the key issues that will be dealt with at the 1st council/management retreat of the 5th governing council of the NHRC will cover structure and Strategy, institutional and procedural framework, performance improvement and reforms, human rights promotion and agenda setting and other related issues.
He said “whereas it may not be possible to capture all the neccessary background information in an inception retreat like this, we have no doubt that the topics treated will give the governing council members a heads to start on the assignment.
“Most of the experience required to Excel in the job will be learnt on the strengthened by further research and learning”.
He explained that retreat of this nature from time to time will be key to performance improvement for the council and management.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali in a goodwill message noted that the NHRC has done well to promote human rights by regularly holding workshops, seminars, conferences and retreat like this.
Alkali, who spoke through DIG, Joseph Egbunike enjoined the commission to continue to do more to engage the Nigeria police force and other relevant stakeholders through this type of programmes.
“In protecting human rights, the Commission has had a strong impact through the establishment of public complaint mechanism at it’s regional and zonal offices throughout Nigeria” the IGP said.
Similarly, the chief of defence staff, Lt. Gen. Lucky Irabor in a goodwill message reiterated the armed forces of Nigeria’s resolve to ensuring the continuation of the synergy with the NHRC in the area of human right protection in line with international best practices.
Represented by chief of defence administration, Rear Admiral, Abdul Adamu, the Irabor said “let me equally add that we will always be available to partner with you while we undertake to extend needed assistance in whatever form possible”.
Speaking on the sideline, a member of the governing council, Abubakar Mohammed expressed optimism on the retreat, stressing that “it expose us to practical knowledge and experience to know the knitty Gritty of the job, especially in respect of the theories”.
“We have heard from former executive secretary their experience on the challenges and the way forward”.
He added “my vast experience in the media will definitely benefit the commission and that is the essence of including media into this council, so as to put out Strategy for public enlightenment to ensure that Nigerians are enlighten about human rights”.
The 4-day retreat will end on Thursday.
