Senate committee approves NGE president and 15 others for NHRC board

The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters has screened and approved 16 nominees, including Eze Anaba, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). This is for their appointment to the governing board of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The screening was held on Tuesday at the National Assembly, about five months after President Bola Tinubu nominated them.

The committee, led by Adeniyi Adegbonmire from APC in Ondo Central, nominated Salamatu Suleiman as the chairperson-designate. Anthony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was also nominated to keep his position as executive secretary.

Other nominees include Maupe Ogun-Yusuf from Channels Television, Ayo Adewuyi from the Nigerian Television Authority, Chinonye Obiaku, SAN, Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, and retired Assistant Controller-General of Corrections Felix Lawrence. The list also includes Edmund Chinonye, Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Francis Meshioye, Patience Patrick, and Hawwa Ibrahim.

The committee plans to present its report to the Senate plenary for further consideration. After that, lawmakers will decide whether to confirm the nominees.

During the screening, lawmakers asked the nominees to show integrity, patriotism, and a strong commitment to the national interest in their roles. Peter Jiya from APC in Niger South said the nominees should put the country’s needs above their personal beliefs as they prepare for their public roles.

Mr Jiya expressed hope that the commission could significantly contribute to protecting human rights if its governing board acts with integrity and public service in mind. He praised the nominees’ professional and personal qualities, urging them to balance their beliefs with the responsibilities of their appointments.

The senator congratulated the nominees and expressed confidence that they would positively impact the commission’s work. The committee chair stated that the NHRC governing board has 16 members, which includes representatives from the Federal Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Foreign Affairs.

Mr Adegbonmire noted that the law does not require the individual screening of the representatives from these ministries. He explained that the law specifies the offices to be represented rather than naming specific nominees.

“The law says there should be 16 members. Three of the members are nominees of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Interior, and Foreign Affairs. But because they are not specific as to persons, we don’t screen them,” he said.

Mr Anaba, who is also the editor of Vanguard Newspapers, said this nomination allows him to continue his commitment to human rights protection, which he sees as essential to his journalism career. He expressed satisfaction with the committee’s decision but warned against assuming that the screening approval is the final confirmation by the Senate.

“We’ve just been screened. We’ve just been confirmed. So don’t let us jump the gun. That’s number one. I’m happy to be approved at least by this screening committee. So until confirmation,” he said.

Mr Anaba discussed his history in human rights advocacy. He mentioned that his professional background has always involved issues of fundamental rights and freedoms. “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,” he said.

He also revealed that he has been involved in the NHRC’s activities before his nomination to the board. Mr Anaba is optimistic that the new board's mix of professional skills will enhance the commission’s performance and boost its role in human rights protection in Nigeria.

“I’ve been part of Nigeria’s Human Rights Commission for a while, not at this level. But I can assure you that with the members we have in this council, Nigeria will benefit from a very good National Human Rights Commission,” he said.

The next steps in the nominees’ confirmation process depend on the Senate's decision regarding the committee’s report.