*Advocates honour for aged, vulnerable people
From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Thursday in Abakaliki met with the members of the Ebonyi Traditional Rulers Council and their counterparts of the Hausa community as part of their efforts to end gender-based violence (GBV) in the state.
The State Coordinator of the Commission, Christopher Okorie also called for the need to honour aged and vulnerable people in the society.
Okorie said the commission in its 16 days of activism, considered interfacing with the traditional rulers in Ebonyi as one of the best ways to brainstorm and facilitate efforts towards ending violence against women and children.
He urged for the continuous support of the traditional rulers to the commission by giving them frequent information on any related cases of human rights abuse in their respective communities, for appropriate action to be taken.
When visited Ebonyi Hausa Community, Odenyi Ejimnkeonye, a member of NHRC, said the gender violence covers both males and females, but the commission decided to choose the theme for the 16days activism as "violence against women and children" because of the rising reports of the menace these days in the society.
He said the officials of the commission have been committed to their duties and urged the general public to always reach them with reports that may need their attention, saying "NHRC office is open for all the citizenry in Ebonyi State and Nigeria at large."
Responding, the Chairman of the traditional rulers' council, HRH Eze Charles Mkpuma and his counterparts of the Hausa community in Ebonyi State, HRH Alhaji Danjuma Mamuda Gambo, commended the commission, especially on its call on the need to be giving special respect to the aged and vulnerable people in the society.
The traditional rulers argued that most violent issues usually emanate from female folks, and however, urged the commission to organize a state-wide workshop on GBV and other related cases to broaden the sensitization.
They also assured the commission of their continuous support to maintain peace and order in their respective communities.
