Abuja -Recent survey conducted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), showed that many Nigerians, including the educated, were not aware of their rights in order to claim them.
Prof. Bem Angwe, Executive Secretary of the commission, made the remark in Abuja on Wednesday during a Campaign to Sensitise FCT Residents on the need to observe and uphold fundamental human rights.
Angwe explained that the campaign was part of activities to commemorate the commission’s 20th Anniversary and International Human Rights Day.
The campaign started at Maitama, went through Wuse, Garki and the Central Area of the city.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that International Human Rights Day is marked on Dec. 10.
“The commission, between today and the end of this year, will be going round the states of the federation to educate Nigerians on their rights.
“We will also give them the requisite enablement to make them stand boldly to claim these rights so that they can demand accountability from their leaders.
“They will be appropriately positioned to say that they are human beings like every other person in other parts of the world’’, he said.
Angwe said the commission had translated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and parts of the Nigerian Constitution into the major Nigerian languages for distribution to the people.
He said the campaign would be carried out in all constituencies with radio jingles in local languages and town hall meetings at the grassroots.
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NAN reports that pamphlets, stickers and fliers on human rights were distributed to passers-by and commuters during the campaign. (NAN)