‘Incorporate human rights in governance’

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged new ministers to respect human rights, which are natural components of governance.

Its Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, who spoke in Abuja, said this would, among others, help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Mainstreaming human rights into government operations can be achieved by ensuring participation and involvement of the people in the formulation and implementation of government programmes, policies and activities.

“Another way of mainstreaming human rights into government operations in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is through policy intervention encapsulated in a document called National Action Plan for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

“The objective of the agenda setting for ministers is to reinforce the legitimacy of government through human rights approach to governance that is the only time the government will be seen by the people as a people  centred government based on which its legitimacy and continued exercise of authority will devolve,”Ojukwu said.