NHRC, Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria Empower Victims of Rights Violations

By Toffa Momoh, Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with the support of Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria has empowered 11 indigent victims of human rights violation with a total amount of One Million Naira .

The empowerment programme is meant to boost the socio-economic well-being of the beneficiaries, who have been identified and verified by the Commission as those in dire need and are willing to start a new business or revive collapsing ones.

In his welcome address at the event, the Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN said the occasion is “an opportunity to celebrate a remarkable milestone in our journey towards social justice, inclusion and empowerment”.

According to the learned Silk, “the National Human Rights Commission in collaboration with Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, proudly presents this empowerment programme, not only as a gesture of compassion but as a manifestation of our statutory mandate to restore the dignity of men and women”.

The Chief Human Rights Officer of Nigeria stated that part of the mandate of the Commission includes providing assistance to victims of human rights violation, including legal support, psycho-social services, and where possible, empowerment initiatives as this.

Commending the support of Taiwanese government, Dr. Ojukwu noted that “our partnership with the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria is a shining example of how international cooperation can yield real, impactful benefits for the vulnerable in our society.

He also urged the beneficiaries to see the programme as a stepping stone and not the destination adding that the Commission always shares the pain of survivors and is willing to offer more support.

In his remarks, Head of Mission Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, Andy Yih-Ping- Liu said that his country’s cooperation extends to several areas including socio-economic interventions in Nigeria, saying that people should be supported to realize their dreams and contribute their quota to national and international development.

He disclosed that less that two percent (2%) of Taiwanese citizens is illiterate, adding that education is key to societal development and citizens well-being and that his country has always given priority to education and human capital development.

The Diplomat described Taiwan as a global role model following its significant technology breakthroughs.

Scores of invited Nongovernmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations were in attendance to witness the empowerment programme, which is a continuation of the NHRC’s interventions into cases of human rights violations.

Dr. (Mrs) Ifeoma Uche Agu, Chief Executive Officer of Thelma Lion Foundation donated the sum of N100,000 in support of the empowerment programme while Dorothy Njemanze Foundation promised capacity building training for the recipients to enable them utilize the funds efficiently.

In addition, Imabong Ladipo Samsi of Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (@WOTCLEF) said her organization is ready to organize mental health training for the recipients.