By: Mercy Peter
The National Human Right Commission, Tuesday put smiles on the faces of some indigent survivors of human rights abuse.
They were made beneficiaries of the Commission’s empowerment programme.
The programme was in collaboration with the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria.
The initiative which was held in Abuja marked the formal launch of a programme aimed at helping survivors move beyond the trauma of past violations by offering them economic tools for recovery.
Beneficiaries received tailored support packages to enable them to start or grow small-scale businesses as part of a broader strategy to promote self-reliance and social reintegration.
The NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu stressed that the programme is not merely a welfare gesture, but a continuation of the Commission’s statutory mandate to ensure justice is accompanied by restoration.
He said: “Justice is incomplete without efforts to restore dignity and create opportunities for victims to rebuild.
“This programme represents a practical response to the needs of those whose rights have been violated.”
The Taiwanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Morgan Chao, reaffirmed his government’s support for initiatives that uphold human dignity.
He praised the courage of the beneficiaries and encouraged them to take full advantage of the support to forge a sustainable path forward.
The empowerment initiative is part of the NHRC’s broader effort to provide legal, psychosocial, and economic assistance to victims of human rights abuses.
“It also reflects how international cooperation can play a meaningful role in grassroots human rights interventions.”
the Commission will continue to monitor the beneficiaries to ensure that the support leads to measurable improvements in their livelihoods.
Dr. Ojukwu called on other stakeholders—including development partners, civil society organisations, and government institutions—to support similar interventions and help build a society where no one is left behind.
“This is not the end it is a stepping stone,” he told the survivors. “Your strength and resilience deserve to be matched with opportunities to thrive.”
