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 Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) President, Eze Anaba.
The committee, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, concluded the screening exercise on Tuesday 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.
Anaba, who is also the editor of Vanguard Newspapers, said his nomination would provide an opportunity to continue his longstanding engagement with human rights protection, which he described as an integral part of his journalism career.
Speaking after the screening, he expressed confidence that the diverse professional backgrounds of the nominees would strengthen the commission’s capacity to protect the rights of Nigerians.
He, however, cautioned against interpreting the committee’s clearance as final confirmation, noting that the Senate plenary must still consider the report.
“We’ve just been screened. We’ve just been confirmed. So don’t let us jump the gun. That’s number one,” he said.
Anaba said he was pleased with the committee’s decision but acknowledged that the appointment process remained incomplete.
“I’m happy to be approved at least by this screening committee. So until confirmation,” he said.
Reflecting on his professional career, the NGE president said human rights advocacy had consistently featured in his journalism work and would remain central to his contribution 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.
“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 said the committee would submit its recommendations to the Senate for consideration and a decision at plenary.
He explained that the outcome of the Senate’s deliberations 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 transmitted 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 ministries to be represented rather than the particular individuals to occupy those positions.
“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 the discharge of their responsibilities.
Senator Peter Jiya, who represents Niger South Senatorial District, said the nominees must place the country’s interests above personal considerations as they prepare to assume responsibilities in a public institution.
Jiya expressed confidence that the commission could make a meaningful contribution to human rights protection if the governing board approached its duties with integrity and a strong sense of public service.
He also commended the nominees’ professional and personal qualities, urging them to balance their individual convictions with the responsibilities attached to their proposed appointments.
The senator congratulated the nominees and expressed hope that they would make positive 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 come from 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 continuing concerns about accountability, the protection of fundamental rights and the effectiveness of institutions responsible for safeguarding citizens’ freedoms.
The nominees will, however, have to await the Senate’s decision at plenary before the confirmation process can be concluded.
