The UN is committed to assisting Nigeria to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. UN Resident Coordinator (RC) in Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale, made this known on Tuesday when he visited the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Mr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, in Abuja.
Schmale said the visit is to also establish a strong relationship with the commission. “I heard from Ojukwu that the commission is a baby of UN. This reminds me of the words of UN Secretary-General at a global meeting of all RCs in New York.
”The secretary-general challenged the RCs around the world to help countries rescue their development agenda.
” He told us if we fail to help countries save their development agenda, we have failed woefully,” he said.
The RC said the three key areas of focus are education as a basic right (children out of school), climate change and human rights as a basic approach to development.
“I will fail in my mission if I do not establish a stronger relationship with you,” he said. Schmale said that based on what he heard today, the commission has recorded some notable achievements. The work of the RC, he said, also includes human rights protection.
“If you are interested, we can organise a dedicated event where I will invite member states for you to present your national action plan,” he said. He pledged resources and technical assistance to the commission.
Earlier, Ojukwu, said the commission was established under a military regime in 1993.
” In 2010 the Act establishing the commission was amended. The commission is fairly unique. Our mandate is wider than in most countries, it is total dealings on issues affecting human rights,” he said.
Ojukwu spoke on collaboration and partnership with other bodies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders. He added funding as a big challenge to the commission.
