The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria have empowered 11 victims of human rights violations with cash.
By Edith Nwapi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria have empowered 11 victims of human rights violations with cash.
The programme was organised by NHRC in collaboration with the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria in Abuja.
Speaking, the Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, stated that the Commission’s mandate included social justice, inclusion and empowerment.
He said that the programme goes beyond donating material resources to those survivors of human rights violations, but to demonstrate that beyond legal service the commission could support those affected.
“A core part of this mandate includes providing assistance to victims of human rights violations including through legal support, psychological services and where possible empowerment initiatives such as this.
“It is our belief that justice does not end at acknowledgement it must be accompanied by restoration dignity and opportunity.
“Your pain is acknowledged, your courage is celebrated, and your future holds promise.
“The programme is a steppingstone not the destination. You have shown strength in adversity and today we honour that strength by standing beside you, offering our hands in support,’’ he said.
Similarly, the Chief of Taiwanese Mission to Nigeria, Andy Yih-Ping Liu, who also serves as the Representative of the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, expressed joy for the collaboration.
He said although, there is no diplomatic relationship between Taiwan and Nigeria, there is an initiative to help in many areas.
He said economically and socially, Taiwan has been regarded as one of the most successful developing nations.
“We can help not just for economic development, but also for women empowerment, youth development, agricultural development and also for natural disaster prevention and early warning systems.
He said that Taiwan is a small Island probably seven times larger than Lagos.
Liu was proud to say that the illiteracy in Taiwan is less than 2 per cent with 98 per cent of the citizens literate.
“So, we have no Nigerian resources at all, you have everything that we don’t have.
“We have earthquakes, typhoons, volcanoes in China. But not in here, probably you have rain and flood.
“But in Taiwan, we have much more of the suffering from the natural disaster than in Nigeria.
“How can we evolve into the best technology in the world? How can we hold ourselves to the quality of the technology? We are slowly accelerating the flow into education,” he said.
In their goodwill messages, the Founder of Thelma Lion Foundation, Dr Ifeoma Agu and Dorothy Njamanze of Dorothy Njamanze Foundation expressed their joy and commended the two groups for their interest in assisting human rights abuse survivors.
Dr Agu, supported the programme with N100,000 token.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates and cash award to the beneficiaries.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that nine persons received N100, 000 each while two received N50, 000 each making it total of N1 million.(NAN)(www.nanews.ng)