The National President of Nigeria Bar Association, NMA, has inaugurated the governing council of its Human Rights Institute.
A statement by the NBA Publicity Secretary, Dr. Rapulu Nduka said the council is chaired by Chino Obiagwu, SAN with members including Fapohunda, SAN; Rommy Mom, Prof Joy Ezeilo, Suleiman Usman, SAN; Florence Obiakor, Dr. Moses Arome, Funmi Adeogun, Mr. Somina Johnbull, Jude Ilo, Osita Okoro, Gabriel Ikeji and Victor Nwakasi.
According to a statement, the mandate of the Institute is to promote the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, ensuring access to justice, enhancing capacity building and skills development on human rights issues, advocating for social, economic, and political rights, amongst others.
The council shall oversee the NBA-HRI’s plan of actions and thematic responses to issues within its mandate and carry out such other functions that it may deem fit appropriate in connection with its terms of reference, or as may be assigned to it by the NBA President or the National Executive Council of the NBA.
Read the statement below:
In fulfilment of the current administration’s objective of institutionalising the programs and organs of governance of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, inaugurated the Governing Council of the Nigerian Bar Association-Human Rights Institute (NBA-HRI) in Abuja on 17th March 2022.
You may recall that part of the electoral promises of the NBA President was to re-constitute and strengthen the NBA-HRI to promote and protect respect for the fundamental rights of the generality of citizens and collaborate with relevant organisations to collectively serve as a voice for the masses and represent vulnerable victims of human rights abuses.
The mandate of the NBA-HRI lies at the heart of the NBA’s objective of promoting the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, ensuring access to justice, enhancing capacity building and skills development on human rights issues, advocating for social, economic, and political rights, amongst others. With the inauguration of its Governing Council, the NBA-HRI has become fully empowered to pursue these ideals.
The Governing Council shall oversee the NBA-HRI’s plan of actions and thematic responses to issues within its mandate and carry out such other functions that it may deem fit appropriate in connection with its terms of reference, or as may be assigned to it by the NBA President or the National Executive Council of the NBA.
Members of the Governing Council who were drawn from various branches of the NBA and whose diverse skills and experiences are expected to facilitate the activities of the NBA-HRI are as follows:
Mr. Chino Obiagwu, SAN (Chairman)
Olawale Fapohunda, SAN
Mr. Rommy Mom
Prof Joy Ezeilo
Mr. Suleiman Usman, SAN
Mrs. Florence Obiakor
Dr. Moses Arome
Mrs. Funmi Adeogun
Mr. Somina Johnbull
Mr. Jude Udo Ilo
Mr. Osita Okoro
Mr. Gabriel Ikeji
Mr. Victor Akazue Nwakasi (Secretary)
