The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami has inaugurated the 5th Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The inaugural ceremony held in Abuja had in attendance the Chairperson of the Governing Council, Dr Salamatu Suleiman, Executive Secretary, NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice and Director Legal of the ministry, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Ambassador Umar Salisu (representing Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mrs Adeshida (representing Federal Ministry of Interior).
While inaugurating the council, Mr. Malami urged the members to contribute to the improvement of human rights in the country.
He charged the Governing Council to uphold and improve on the standard achieved by the previous Councils and the Management of the Commission.
He advised the Council Members to be guided by the NHRC Establishment Act.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu, said with its amended Act of 2010, the commission had been able to seek justice for innocent citizens whose rights were violated particularly by security operatives.
Mr. Ojukwu, who highlighted some of the achievements of the Commission, without a governing council, said government funding still remained its challenge.
Responding on behalf of the council members, the new council chairperson, Dr Salamatu Suleiman, pledged that the members would discharge their responsibility without fear or favour.
RN