16 NHRC BOARD NOMINEES’ SCREENING: Anaba, Ojukwu, Others Cleared

By Pan Afric Reporters

The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters has screened and cleared 16 nominees for appointment to the governing board of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), including Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) President, Eze Anaba, and the commission’s Executive Secretary, Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, paving the way for the Senate’s final decision on their appointments.

The committee, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central) concluded the screening exercise following President Bola Tinubu’s request for Senate confirmation of the reconstituted NHRC governing board. The committee’s recommendations have been forwarded to the Senate for consideration and further decision at the plenary.

Speaking after the exercise, Anaba, who is also editor of Vanguard Newspapers, described his nomination as an opportunity to deepen his longstanding commitment to human rights protection, which he said had remained integral to his journalism career. He, however, cautioned against interpreting the committee’s clearance as final confirmation, noting that the process would only be concluded after the Senate’s consideration of the report.

“I’m happy to be approved at least by this screening committee. So until confirmation,” he said.

The NGE president expressed confidence that the diverse professional backgrounds of the nominees would strengthen the commission’s capacity to protect the rights of Nigerians and improve its overall performance. He disclosed that he had been involved in the activities of the NHRC before his nomination but had not previously served at the governing board level.

“I’ve done this human rights thing all my life. It has gone together with my journalism job. So it’s going to be a continuation of what I’ve been doing,” Anaba said, adding that he believed the incoming board members could help deliver a more effective commission.

Adegbonmire said the committee would present its recommendations to the Senate, whose decision would subsequently be communicated to the President through the appropriate government channel. He explained that the NHRC governing board comprises 16 members, including representatives of the Federal Ministries of Justice, Interior and Foreign Affairs, who were not individually screened because the law specifies the offices to be represented rather than particular nominees.

During the proceedings, senators urged the nominees to demonstrate integrity, patriotism and an unwavering commitment to the national interest in discharging their responsibilities. Senator Peter Jiya, representing Niger South, emphasised that public service appointments required nominees to place national interest above personal considerations, expressing optimism that the board could make a meaningful difference in the protection of fundamental rights.

The nominees represent diverse professional backgrounds, including journalism, law, public administration, academia and the security services. They include Eze Anaba, Maupe Ogun-Yusuf of Channels Television, Ayo Adewuyi of the Nigerian Television Authority, Chinonye Obiaku, SAN, Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, retired Assistant Controller-General of Corrections Felix Lawrence, Edmund Chinonye, Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Otunba Francis Meshioye, Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim. Salamatu Suleiman was nominated as chairperson-designate, while Ojukwu was retained as executive secretary.

President Tinubu had in April sought Senate confirmation for the reconstitution of the board in accordance with Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which requires Senate confirmation before the board can formally assume office. The commission is mandated to promote and protect human rights, investigate alleged violations and encourage compliance with national and international human rights standards.

The nominees’ clearance marks a significant step in the reconstitution process, with the final outcome now resting on the Senate’s decision at plenary. The exercise comes amid continuing calls for stronger accountability, effective protection of fundamental rights and improved institutional mechanisms for safeguarding the freedoms of Nigerians.