As part of efforts to enhance staff development and institutional excellence, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is embarking on a ten-month structured training programme for its staff.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, announced this on Monday in Abuja while declaring open a two-day capacity-building workshop on concept development and report writing. He said the training is aimed at strengthening staff capacity in investigating and resolving complaints on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR) brought before the Commission.
In his speech, delivered by the Director, ESCR of the Commission, Isioma Nwosa, the NHRC boss said the capacity of the Commission must keep pace with its mandate. This, he noted, necessitated the two-day workshop designed to equip investigation and legal officers with the knowledge and competencies required to effectively handle complaints relating to violations of economic, social, and cultural rights.
The schedule of the ESCR department in the Commission, according to Ojukwu, is to protect, promote, and provide redress for victims of rights violations, including the rights to housing, healthcare, education, labour, food, water, and sanitation.
He said addressing the violations demands structured, well-articulated interventions, which in turn require strong foundational skills in concept development and report writing.
The workshop, the NHRC boss said, is also a direct response to recent internal restructuring within the department, which has expanded the operational responsibilities of staff, while restating the Commission’s commitment to staff development and institutional excellence.
He expressed hope that staff would emerge better informed to transform the human rights landscape in the country after the workshop.
In his paper titled “Exploring Pathways to Remaining Relevant in Life and in the Workplace,” the Chief Executive Officer of Faithline Global Consult, Mr Sunny Nkemdi, urged participants to do everything possible to remain relevant in the Commission.
Nkemdi, who is one of the resource persons, stressed the need for staff of the NHRC to be creative, innovative, and intentional in the discharge of their duties.
Self-intelligence, improved communication skills, and active listening, he said, are essential for achieving maximum performance.
“Lead with integrity, earn trust, uphold ethics, do what is right even when it is hard, build connections, achieve success, establish networks, create opportunities, and drive impact while on the job,” he charged participants at the two-day workshop on concept development and report writing.