NHRC Calls For Urgent Legal Reforms To Address AI-Related Human Rights Challenges

NHRC calls for urgent legal reforms to address AI-Related human rights challenges. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for an urgent review of existing laws to tackle emerging human rights concerns arising from the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria.

Speaking at a workshop on AI governance and human rights, NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, warned that without robust ethical frameworks, AI could widen inequalities, introduce algorithmic bias, invade privacy, and threaten human rights.

AI as a Double-Edged Sword

Ojukwu emphasized that while AI is reshaping societies, economies, and human interactions, its regulation must ensure that technological progress does not outpace human rights protections.

“As AI becomes more sophisticated, human oversight remains crucial. Our laws must evolve to balance innovation with ethical principles,” he said.

He called on policymakers, business leaders, technologists, and civil society groups to collaborate in ensuring AI promotes human dignity rather than undermines it.

NHRC Calls For Urgent Legal Reforms

Need for Legal and Ethical Frameworks

The President of the International Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (IN-CRS), Eustace Onuegbu, noted that AI’s rapid expansion in Africa brings both opportunities and challenges that require urgent legal and ethical considerations.

Similarly, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, representing the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, stressed the need for Nigeria to balance AI’s benefits with strong human rights safeguards.

Gov. Umo Eno Saves Akwa Ibom Community N18.5m Yearly Spending: Water Project

Gov. Umo Eno saves Akwa Ibom community N18.5m yearly spending: Water Project. Tasks citizens on protecting public facilities

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno Ph.D., has called on Akwa Ibomite to take ownership of every project executed by the State Government.

He made this known at the commissioning of the solar-powered water project in Ikot Oku Usung Community in Ukanafun Local Government Area.

The Governor who was represented by the Honourable commissioner for Water Resources and Sanitation, Hon. Ubuo Ubuo Ph.D., emphasised on the readiness on the part of the Governor to make sure that every community feels the impact of the government, stating that the Ikot Oku Usung project is the first of the eleven solar-powered water projects to be commissioned.

In his welcome address, the Ukanafun Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Prince Uyo Ukpanah thanked His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno for his visionary leadership in Akwa Ibom State which according to him has resulted in tangible evidence in the rural communities.

The Council boss counted various projects and programmes executed by Pastor Umo Eno and promised the Governor of protecting these projects.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Barr Emah Udonsek presenting a project overview, said the project has met all the necessary standard requirements, adding that it feeds Ikot Ekperikpe, a nearby community and also CCC Secondary School.

Barr. Udonsek noted that the 2.6 kilowatts solar-panel is capable of powering the water project for twenty-four hours adding that the 22,000 liters capacity tank comes with a treatment plant to free beneficiaries from water borne diseases.

She also noted that the Wash pump will soon be installed.

In a goodwill message, Chief Umana .J. Umana, the village head of Ikot Oku Usung Community, eulogised the Governor for turning things around in the community and the State generally, for good.

“We have drank from the stream for many years, we have encountered so many illnesses for this number of years and the distance from our community to the stream is over two kilometers, we thank God for Pastor Umo Eno who has finally come to our rescue.

I promise the Governor that as a community head, we will secure this particular project entrusted in our care and we thank the Governor for the model Primary School which is close to commissioning,” Chief Umana said.

A resident of the community, Mrs Eno Frank JP, also expressed her happiness for the goodwill of His Excellency towards the community and mostly for the installation of the solar panel water system which she said has reduced the long distance suffering for over the years.

Earlier in his presentation, the Head of the Akwa Ibom State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Mr. Savior Udoh said the project will save the community millions of Naira used in buying water from vendors yearly.

“that tank is 22,000 liters, you know we take water in jerry-cans which is about 20 liters. If you divide 22,000 liters by twenty, it gives you about 1,100 of the Jerry-cans and if you take it fifty Naira that is sold here, that takes you 55,000 per day.

Multiply that by a week, you will have about 385,000. So you multiply by a month which is four weeks, then multiply by 12 or 365 days, so you have about eighteen million, four hundred and fifty thousand Naira saved the community from buying water in a year,” Mr. Udoh explained.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, Elder Aniekan Akpan who noted that the activities of His Excellency is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf, said Pastor Eno came to leadership prepared while insisting the entire voters have not been disappointed.

“We thank His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno for this solar panel water project, for the Model Primary school and more projects that are to come to Ukanafun.

Umo Eno

His Excellency having given us water has given the people of Ikot Oku Usung life and this Solar panel water project is feeding CCC secondary school, and a nearby community, we assure him that the project will be protected,” he said.

The event also had in attendance, Hon Emem Udom, Member representing Ukanafun Local Government Area in the State Assembly, Honourable commissioners, Honorary Special Advisers to Governor, traditional rulers, Ukraine Youths, men and women.

High point of the event was the commissioning of the solar-powered water project and the endorsement of a second term following a motion moved by the member representing Ukanafun State consistency, Hon Emem Udom, seconded by a former State House member, Hon. Saturday Akpan, for Governor Umo Eno’s second term in office.

Namibia Swears In First Female President Netumbo

Namibia swears in first female president Netumbo. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made history as Namibia’s first female president as she took office after being sworn in.

Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, who was vice president, was sworn in on Friday, succeeding President Nangolo Mbumba.

Due to heavy rainfall, the Namibian president’s swearing-in, which coincided with the country’s 35th Independence Anniversary, was moved from Independence Stadium to State House in Windhoek.
Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah polled 58 per cent of the votes, surpassing the 50 per cent requirement to win in the last election held in November 2024.

Her challenger, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party, came second with roughly 26 per cent of the votes.

The 72-year-old politician now joins the exclusive club of female presidents in Africa, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.

Namibia

The trio—Mrs. Sirleaf, Mrs. Banda, and Mrs. Hassan—were all in attendance at Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration.

Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership will see her party, the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), remain in power beyond 35 years, having governed since the country’s independence in 1990.