The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters has cleared 16 nominees, including the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Eze Anaba, for appointment to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) governing board.

The committee, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, screened the nominees following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request for Senate confirmation of appointments to reconstitute the commission’s governing board.

The committee has submitted its report to the Senate for plenary consideration, where lawmakers will decide whether to confirm the nominees.

Speaking after the screening, Anaba, also the Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, said the proposed appointment would let him continue his longstanding commitment to protecting human rights.

He described human rights advocacy as integral to his journalism career, saying his professional experience had consistently exposed him to issues related to protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.

“I’ve done this human rights thing all my life. It has gone hand in hand with my journalism job. So it’s going to be a continuation of what I’ve been doing,” he said.

Anaba expressed satisfaction with the committee’s decision but cautioned against treating the screening clearance as final confirmation.

“We’ve just been screened. We’ve just been confirmed. So don’t let us jump the gun. That’s number one,” he said.

He added: “I’m happy to be approved at least by this screening committee. So until confirmation.”

The NGE president expressed optimism that the professional experience and diverse backgrounds of the nominees would strengthen the commission’s capacity to promote and protect human rights in Nigeria.

He also disclosed that he had been associated with the commission’s activities before his nomination to the governing board.

“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 had completed the screening exercise and would present its recommendations to the Senate for consideration.

He explained that, after considering the report, the Senate would communicate its decision 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 would then transmit its decision to the President through the appropriate channel.

Adegbonmire also clarified that the NHRC governing board comprises 16 members, including representatives of the Federal Ministries of Justice, Interior and Foreign Affairs.

He explained that the law specifies the offices or ranks to be represented, not the names of particular nominees, so the three ministry representatives were not individually screened.

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

The committee also screened the commission’s serving Executive Secretary, Anthony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

During the screening, senators urged the nominees to demonstrate integrity, patriotism, and a strong commitment to the national interest as they discharge their responsibilities.

Senator Peter Jiya, who represents Niger South Senatorial District, advised the nominees to place the country’s interests above personal convictions as they prepare to assume responsibilities within the public institution.

He expressed confidence that the commission could make meaningful contributions to human rights protection if its governing board approached its duties with integrity and a strong sense of public service.

Jiya also commended the nominees’ professional and personal qualities, urging them to balance their individual beliefs with the institutional responsibilities attached to their proposed appointments.

He congratulated them on their nominations and expressed optimism that they would contribute positively to the commission’s work.

In April, Tinubu requested Senate confirmation of nominees for the reconstitution of the NHRC governing board under 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 came from various professional backgrounds, including journalism, law, public administration, academia, and the security services.

They include 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.

Dr Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman was nominated as chairperson-designate, while Ojukwu was retained as Executive Secretary.

The commission is statutorily 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.

Although the committee’s clearance marks a significant step in the appointment process, the nominees must await the Senate’s plenary decision before their confirmation can be concluded. (The Nation)