Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan calls for hope and accountability as NHRC urges rights-based reforms, equal justice and protection for vulnerable Nigerians.
The senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, called on Nigerians to sustain faith in the country, strengthen national unity, and demand accountability as the federal government implemented its economic and development reforms.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a goodwill message, said the country’s journey since independence had demonstrated the resilience of its people and underscored the need for citizens and leaders to remain committed to building a more prosperous and inclusive nation.
She said the anniversary should not merely be an occasion for celebration but a reminder of the sacrifices made by the country’s founding generation and the responsibility of present-day Nigerians to consolidate the gains of democracy and development.
The senator stated, “At 66, Nigeria has every reason to look ahead with renewed hope. We have faced difficult moments as a nation, but the resilience of Nigerians has remained unshaken.
“Independence Day reminds us that nation-building is a continuous responsibility that requires unity, courage and faith in our collective future.”
NHRC Seeks Equal Justice, Rights-based Devt
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called on governments at all levels, security agencies, and public institutions to place human dignity, equality, and justice at the centre of Nigeria’s development.
The commission said the success of the federal government’s reforms should ultimately be measured by their impact on the lives, rights, and dignity of ordinary Nigerians. It warned that economic growth could not be considered sustainable if its benefits failed to reach vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
Executive Secretary of NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, made the call in his Independence Day message to Nigerians.
Ojukwu commended citizens for their resilience, creativity, and determination in confronting the country’s social, economic and political challenges.
Reflecting on the national theme, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity,” Ojukwu said the country’s transition from reform to lasting stability must include a deliberate commitment to protecting fundamental rights and ensuring equal access to justice.
Ojukwu, in the statement by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Mohammed, urged governments to strengthen social protection mechanisms, expand access to basic services, and ensure that economic policies and reforms remained consistent with Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
The NHRC boss also charged law enforcement and security agencies to combine the protection of national security with respect for fundamental rights, insisting that security operations must be guided by professionalism and accountability.
He said the rule of law and an independent and effective justice system remained essential to building public confidence, particularly among poor and vulnerable Nigerians, who often faced significant barriers to accessing justice.
