…Final confirmation awaits Senate plenary decision
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 President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Eze Anaba.
The committee, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, concluded the screening exercise as part of the process to reconstitute the commission’s governing board following President Bola Tinubu’s request for Senate confirmation.
The committee’s recommendations have been forwarded to the Senate for consideration, with the final decision on the nominations expected at plenary.
Speaking after the screening, Anaba, who is also the editor of Vanguard Newspapers, said his nomination presented an opportunity to deepen his longstanding commitment to human rights protection, which he described as inseparable from his journalism career.
He expressed optimism that the nominees’ diverse professional backgrounds would strengthen the commission’s capacity to protect the rights of Nigerians. However, he cautioned against interpreting the committee’s clearance as final confirmation.
“We’ve just been screened. We’ve just been confirmed. So don’t let us jump the gun,” he said, clarifying that the process remained incomplete pending the Senate’s decision.
Anaba said he was pleased with the committee’s approval but acknowledged that the final stage of the process was still outstanding.
“I’m happy to be approved at least by this screening committee. So until confirmation,” he said.
Reflecting on his career, the NGE president said human rights protection had consistently featured in his work as a journalist and would continue to guide his contributions if confirmed.
“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 disclosed that he had been involved in the activities of the NHRC before his nomination, although not at the governing board level.
Anaba expressed confidence that the expertise and experience of the incoming board members would improve the commission’s performance and strengthen human rights protection in the country.
“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.
Adegbonmire confirmed that the committee had concluded the screening exercise and would submit its recommendations to the Senate for consideration at plenary.
He explained that the Senate’s decision would subsequently be communicated to the President through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“The decision of this committee will be conveyed to the Senate. And the Senate will take a position at plenary,” he said.
He added that the Senate’s position would then be communicated to the President through the appropriate government office.
The committee chairman explained that the NHRC governing board comprises 16 members, including representatives of the Federal Ministries of Justice, Interior and Foreign Affairs.
According to him, the representatives of the three ministries were not individually screened because the law specifies the offices to be represented rather than naming particular individuals.
“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.
The commission’s serving Executive Secretary, Anthony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was also screened during the exercise.
During the proceedings, senators urged the nominees to demonstrate integrity, patriotism and commitment to the national interest in discharging their proposed responsibilities.
Senator Peter Jiya, representing Niger South Senatorial District, urged the nominees to place the country’s interests above personal considerations as they prepare to serve in the public institution.
He expressed confidence that the commission could make a significant impact on human rights protection if the board members approached their responsibilities with integrity and a strong sense of public service.
Jiya also commended the nominees’ professional and personal qualities, urging them to balance their individual convictions with the responsibilities of their proposed offices.
He congratulated the nominees and expressed hope that they would make meaningful contributions to the commission’s work.
President Tinubu had in April sought Senate confirmation for the reconstitution of the NHRC governing board in line with Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010.
The provision requires Senate confirmation before the board can formally assume office.
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.
The NHRC is mandated to promote and protect human rights, investigate alleged violations and encourage compliance with national and international human rights standards.
The reconstitution of its governing board comes amid ongoing concerns about accountability, the protection of fundamental rights and the effectiveness of institutions responsible for safeguarding citizens’ freedoms.
While the committee’s clearance represents a significant step in the appointment process, the nominees must await the Senate’s decision at plenary before their confirmation can be concluded.
