We Receive Over 2m Complaints, Petitions Annually – NHRC Boss

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) receives over two million complaints and petitions annually, requiring over N10 million for investigations
• The NHRC aims to open ten more offices in various states to avoid landlord issues and maintain its independence across the country

According to Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the commission receives over two million complaints and petitions from Nigerians annually.

Ojukwu said during a press conference in Abuja that the commission would need more than N10 million to investigate all of the complaints, making it difficult for the commission to afford it.

According to him, the commission receives N4.5 billion in annual budget allocation. It is expected to carry out all of its activities, such as rent payment for its state offices, salaries, and complaint investigations, among other responsibilities.

He stated that the commission was on its way to opening ten more offices in various states across the country, which is why the office in Lagos State was only N5 million.

Ojukwu stated that it is critical for the commission to have independent offices across the country in order to avoid landlord issues, adding that any landlord could evict them if they criticize anyone he or she knows.

He praised the media for using their platforms to raise awareness of human rights issues and give voice to those often silenced.

FG begins verification of National Social Register

On Saturday, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, flagged off the Federal Government’s verification of the National Social Register in Makoko, Lagos state.

According to the minister, the exercise will ensure the federal government’s social register is accurate and captures the people who deserve to be on the register.

Edu said she was in the community to flag off the Social Register verification for the Vulnerable People Living in the Makoko Area of the state.

She said: “We are here today in the Makoko area of Lagos state because President Bola Tinubu has asked us to come here and verify the National Social Register.