The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Nigeria has appointed new officials to advance its mission and unveiled its 2025 agenda, outlining key priorities and objectives for the upcoming year.  

On Wednesday, to mark the 2024 Universal Celebration of Human Rights Day, IHRC Nigeria held a one-day symposium on human rights, inaugurated new officials, and set its 2025 agenda at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja.  

The symposium was themed “Unity in Diversity: Embracing Freedom, Equality, and Dignity for All.”  

The newly appointed ambassadors are: Dr Malami Shehu Ma’Aji, IHRC special advisor on intergovernmental affairs for Africa region; John Paul Ochemba, IHRC advisor on special monitoring mission Nigeria and Kingsley Nwokoma, IHRC commissioner in Nigeria.

Duru Hezekiah, the commission’s ambassador-at-large and head of the diplomatic mission in Nigeria, lamented the widespread violence and human rights abuses in Nigeria, attributing them to a lack of love and unity.  

“There are killings everywhere because we lack love. There are violations of human rights everywhere in Nigeria, and we aim to start a course that will bring us together as one,” Mr Hezekiah said.  

Mr Hezekiah also spoke on IHRC Nigeria’s 2025 intervention and advocacy project, which will focus on empowering rural communities in Nigeria through traditional rulers.  

According to him, the IHRC prefers not to work through the government because governments come and go while traditional rulers reign. He added that the rural regions of Nigeria, including emirs, obas, and kings, possess strong traditional roots and a deep understanding of their communities, making them the best medium to reach the less privileged.  

The project aims to improve the quality of life for rural dwellers in Nigeria by establishing mobile health clinics, installing boreholes, and launching microfinance initiatives to support small-scale businesses, agricultural projects, and infrastructure development.  

He sought the collective support of Nigerians to achieve the 2025 intervention and advocacy goals.