The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on Tuesday screened and cleared 16 nominees, including the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, for appointment to the Governing Board of the National Human Rights Commission.
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The committee, chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC, Ondo Central), conducted the screening at the National Assembly, about five months after President Bola Tinubu nominated the candidates.
Salamatu Suleiman was nominated as chairperson-designate, while Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, was nominated to retain his position as Executive Secretary of the Commission.
Other nominees are 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; Adedeji Ogunji; Kingsley Chidozie; Mohammed Adelodu; Francis Meshioye; Patience Patrick; and Hawwa Ibrahim.
The committee will present its report to the Senate plenary for consideration, after which lawmakers will decide whether to confirm the nominees.
During the screening exercise, lawmakers urged the nominees to demonstrate integrity, patriotism and a strong commitment to the national interest in discharging their responsibilities.
Senator Peter Jiya (APC, Niger South) stressed that the nominees should place the country’s interests above their personal convictions as they prepare to assume responsibilities in a public institution.
Jiya expressed confidence that the Commission could make meaningful contributions to the protection of human rights if its Governing Board approached its responsibilities with integrity and a strong sense of public service.
He also commended the professional and personal qualities of the nominees, urging them to balance their individual beliefs with the institutional obligations of their appointments.
The senator congratulated the nominees and expressed optimism that they would contribute positively to the work of the Commission.
Adegbonmire 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 did not subject representatives of the three ministries to individual screening because it specifies the offices or ranks to be represented rather than the names of particular 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.
Speaking after the screening, Anaba, who is also the Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, said his nomination provided an opportunity to sustain his commitment to human rights protection, which he described as integral to his journalism career.
The NGE President expressed satisfaction with the committee’s decision but cautioned against treating the screening clearance as 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.
Explaining his background in human rights advocacy, Anaba said his professional experience had consistently brought him into contact with issues relating to the protection 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.
Anaba also said he had been involved in the activities of the NHRC before his nomination to its Governing Board.
He expressed optimism that the incoming board’s diverse professional expertise would improve the Commission’s performance and strengthen its contribution to 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 Senate’s consideration of the committee’s report will determine the next stage of the nominees’ confirmation process.
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