Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for civic participation and inclusion in the Open Government Partnership. The Commission is set to work in partnership with the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative. The OGP is a platform where government and civil society leaders come together to shape policies and frameworks that will delivers open, participatory, and accountable governance for the benefit of all.
During the visit of the NHRC to the OGP secretariat, the Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu SAN, said the Commission drew out the third National Action Plan (NAP 3) of the OGP which had commenced in March 2023. He noted that the OGP had over 70 countries and over 100 local governments, representing more than two billion people are members of OGP. Nigeria voluntarily joined the OGP in 2016 as the 20th country to be a member.
NHRC is set to create platforms and mechanisms that will enable citizens to participate in governance processes. this will be attained by setting up town hall meetings and creating online platforms to garner public opinion on developmental policies, budgeting and other decision-making processes.
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Likewise, the Commission will be actively involved in engaging stakeholders and be sure to provide recommendations that will cut across diverse needs of citizens. The Commission is committed to will be partnering and collaborating with government agencies, civil society organizations, international partners, and other stakeholders to leverage resources, expertise, and knowledge for effective implementation.
As a member the OGP Steering Committee and the Thematic Working Group on Civic Participation and Inclusion, the committee is dedicated to upholding human right principles, promoting transparency and to fostering an inclusive society.
The Commission’s pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that facilitate open government practices and ensure that every citizen has a voice in shaping their future in line with international and national human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (article 21), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (article 25), the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (articles 13 and 29) and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (section 14(2)(c)). The commission believes that civic participation, will further promote a more transparent, accountable and equitable governance system in Nigeria.
