NHRC to Advance Human Rights Communication with Global Best Practices

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Nigeria has organized a two-day training on Human Rights Reporting and Advocacy, focusing on graphic design, content creation, and social media management. The training, which took place in Abuja, aimed to equip participants with the skills needed to advance human rights protection and promotion in Nigeria in accordance with global best practices. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Professor Tony Ojukwu, SAN, emphasized the importance of effective communication in human rights protection.

Professor Ojukwu, represented by the Director of Civil and Political Rights, Halilu Adamu, noted that human rights protection is not only achieved through investigations and policy recommendations but also through accurate and strategic communication. He stressed that in today's digital environment, the way human rights stories are told can determine whether an issue receives attention and whether the public becomes better informed about their rights and responsibilities. The training aimed to strengthen the commission's ability to transform complex human rights issues into compelling and accessible visual content.

The Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages Department, Mrs Fatimah Agwai, stated that the training was convened to ensure the commission operates at par with world-class National Human Rights Institutions. This is in line with Nigeria's A-Status accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). Agwai noted that the A-Status is not merely an award but a recognition of compliance with the Paris Principles and a call to higher responsibility.

Mrs Agwai emphasized that the Executive Secretary wants a media department that defends human rights through communication, not just covers events. She stressed that every press release and social media post is a statement of the commission's independence, impartiality, and credibility. According to her, an A-Status NHRI must speak with authority and not propaganda, and NHRC communication must be factual, timely, and rights-based.

The training covered various topics, including news writing and storytelling from a human rights perspective. Participants were equipped with skills in using Canva for graphic design and social media management. The commission aims to cultivate a human rights communication culture that places accuracy, professionalism, ethics, empathy, dignity, and strategic advocacy at the center of its communication.

At the end of the training, participants pledged to translate the skills acquired into better content, stronger advocacy, more effective public engagement, and greater impact in the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria. The commission seeks to ensure that its communication offers hope to the vulnerable and guidance to duty-bearers. The training is part of the commission's efforts to advance human rights communication with global best practices.

The NHRC's efforts to improve human rights communication are crucial in Nigeria, where human rights issues are prevalent. The commission's A-Status accreditation by GANHRI demonstrates its commitment to upholding human rights standards. The training is a step towards ensuring that the commission's communication is effective, accurate, and strategic in promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria.

Key points

• The NHRC has organized a training on Human Rights Reporting and Advocacy to improve human rights communication in Nigeria.
• The training aims to equip participants with skills in graphic design, content creation, and social media management.
• The commission seeks to cultivate a human rights communication culture that places accuracy, professionalism, and strategic advocacy at its center.