Events
Stakeholders Meet in Jos to Drive Implementation of Nigeria’s Human Rights Action Plan
Stakeholders from government ministries, agencies, civil society organizations, and the media converged in Jos for the Plateau State Consultative Meeting on the National Action Plan (NAP) for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria (2024–2028), aimed at strengthening human rights implementation and coordination across the state.
The consultative meeting, organized by the National Human Rights Commission, was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Community and Social Development Agency Hall.
The National Action Plan represents Nigeria’s second national human rights framework developed in line with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, Austria. The framework seeks to promote and protect human rights while aligning with constitutional, regional, and international human rights obligations.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Kiyenpiya Mafuyai, State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, said the new five-year action plan was developed after identifying gaps in the previous 2009 framework.
According to her, the Commission spent nearly a decade engaging ministries, departments, agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners to produce a more comprehensive and actionable framework capable of addressing emerging human rights concerns.
She explained that the plan covers civil and political rights such as the right to life, freedom of expression and movement, as well as economic, social, and collective rights including access to health, education, peace, and a healthy environment.
Dr. Mafuyai noted that the framework also prioritizes vulnerable groups including women, children, internally displaced persons, and persons living with disabilities.
“The Human Rights Commission can only monitor implementation, but ministries, departments, agencies, the media, and civil society organizations are critical in ensuring citizens enjoy their rights,” she said.
She further explained that the document clearly assigns responsibilities to relevant institutions, using sectors such as health and education as examples where lead agencies would be identified and monitored through measurable performance indicators.
Using education as an example, Dr. Mafuyai said the framework could measure implementation through the establishment of human rights clubs in schools across the country within the five-year cycle.
On public understanding of human rights, she emphasized that rights are not privileges but legal entitlements guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties.
She urged citizens to report rights violations to the National Human Rights Commission, assuring that its services remain free and accessible across state capitals nationwide.
Also speaking, Samuel Davou, Chief Administrative Officer in the Office of the Head of Civil Service, Plateau State, described the meeting as an opportunity to study and domesticate the National Action Plan at the state level.
He said the Office of the Head of Service would work to ensure the provisions of the NAP are implemented across ministries, departments, and agencies in Plateau State.
Executive Director of Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse, Jacob Choji Pwakim, said the initiative signaled Nigeria’s growing commitment toward coordinated human rights protection.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between government and civil society actors, noting that isolated interventions would not adequately address human rights challenges.
Pwakim, however, cautioned that previous national action plans had suffered poor implementation due to lack of budgetary allocation and weak accountability mechanisms.
“We want to see what lessons are being learned from the previous NAP and what will be done differently in this current one,” he stated.
Director of News and Current Affairs at the Plateau Radio Television Corporation, John Shailong, said the framework was particularly relevant in addressing workplace ethics and protecting professional rights.
He expressed optimism that with the right enabling environment, the policy would be effectively implemented.
Also contributing, Taddy Chollom, Chief Investigation Officer with the National Human Rights Commission, highlighted the role of civil society organizations in ensuring accountability and influencing human rights-compliant legislation.
He said the consultative process was designed to enable stakeholders to collectively monitor and strengthen the protection and promotion of citizens’ rights in Plateau State.
Chollom added that civil society organizations have continued to serve as the “voice of the voiceless” by shaping governance processes and holding institutions accountable.
The event concluded with further deliberations on the roles of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as civil society organizations (CSOs), in the implementation of the National Action Plan going forward. Desk officers and representatives from various institutions engaged in general discussions focused on implementation strategies, coordination mechanisms, accountability measures, and the way forward for effective human rights protection and promotion in Plateau State and across Nigeria.
Entertainment
Jah Device’s Global Rise Gains Momentum as BusinessDay Sunday Spotlights Nigeria’s Reggae Ambassador
The global reggae movement is witnessing the rise of a new African voice as Nigerian reggae sensation Jah Device continues his remarkable journey from the hills of Jos, Plateau State, to the international music stage. The fast-rising artiste recently achieved another career milestone after earning a special feature in the entertainment section of BusinessDay Sunday, one of Africa’s leading English-language newspapers.
The publication highlighted Jah Device’s artistic journey, influence, and contribution to Nigeria’s entertainment industry, further cementing his place among the country’s most promising reggae exports. The recognition not only celebrates his growing impact but also shines a spotlight on Plateau State as an emerging hub for creativity, culture, and musical excellence.
Known offstage as I Am Device, Jah Device has steadily built a reputation as an international reggae musician, songwriter, producer, and performer whose music blends conscious messaging, spirituality, social commentary, and rich African rhythms. His sound is driven by thought-provoking lyrics, melodic harmonies, and pulsating live instrumentation — elements that have distinguished him within the reggae community both locally and internationally.
Signed to Stingray Records UK, Jah Device has continued to expand his global footprint through collaborations and projects that connect Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond. His works have reached international audiences through strategic partnerships and distribution support from Bob Marley’s legendary Tuff Gong International in Jamaica — a major milestone for any reggae artiste seeking global relevance.
Among his notable releases is Love And Sacrifice, a project that brought together respected international reggae figures including Anthony Red Rose, Michael Buckley, and Natty King. The collaboration reinforced Jah Device’s position as an artiste capable of bridging cultures while maintaining an authentic African reggae identity.
Currently, the Jos-born star is working on an international project with producer Zige Dub featuring collaborations with Troy Anthony from Bermuda, House of Riddim in Austria, and I Am That I Am Records in Jamaica — an effort expected to further elevate his profile on the global reggae scene.
Beyond music, Jah Device remains deeply invested in community building and cultural development. He is the convener of the annual Rocky Road Music Festival, an initiative that provides a platform for talent discovery, artistic expression, and cultural exchange while promoting Plateau State’s creative ecosystem.
His journey also reflects a multifaceted personality. Away from the stage, Jah Device is passionate about studying the Word, sports including judo and football, fishing, beekeeping, and travelling. Over the years, he has represented Africa at several international events, including engagements in Jamaica — the spiritual home of reggae music.
Speaking during the BusinessDay Sunday feature, Jah Device emphasized the role of entertainment as a driver of economic growth and social transformation. He described music as one of the strongest hopes for Nigeria’s economy, particularly for young people seeking opportunities, empowerment, and self-expression.
As a brand ambassador for The Mayor of Housing Nigeria and an emerging cultural voice from Africa, Jah Device’s story is becoming more than a musical journey — it is evolving into a movement of purpose, identity, and international influence.
From Jos to Kingston, London to Austria, Jah Device is carrying the sound of Africa to the world stage, proving that reggae remains a universal language and that Plateau State has yet another global ambassador in the making.
A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos on Tuesday granted leave to four persons standing trial over the deadly Angwa Rukuba attacks to each call five defence witnesses.
The suspects are facing prosecution over the Palm Sunday 2026 attack on Angwa Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where about 30 persons were reportedly killed by gunmen.
Following the incident, the Department of State Services arrested Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar, also known as Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, also known as Yaroro.
The Plateau State Government subsequently charged the three suspects alongside one Ado Ibrahim, who is currently at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and unlawful dealing in arms and ammunition.
Ruling during a case management conference, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon granted the request by the defendants to produce five witnesses each in their defence.
The judge also reiterated the court’s commitment to accelerated hearing of the case, stating that two full days would be dedicated to the testimonies of each defendant’s witnesses.
Justice Fwomyon further ruled that the prosecution had sufficiently answered the questions contained in the case management information sheet and would rely on the statements of evidence already before the court, including those of the defendants and their witnesses.
The court also ruled that the defendants would be allowed to make use of interpreters either provided by themselves or by the court.
In addition, the defendants were granted the right to challenge the admissibility of their statements and to invite expert witnesses during the trial.
However, the judge held that no party would be permitted to raise fresh interlocutory applications in the matter except those already filed and adopted before the court, noting that such applications would only be entertained under exceptional circumstances.
The matter was adjourned to July 1 and 2, 2026, for hearing of the substantive case, provided the defendants do not challenge the jurisdiction of the court.
The court further ordered that the suspects remain in the custody of the DSS pending the next adjourned date.
Recall that Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved a ₦2 billion relief package for victims of the Angwa Rukuba attacks and pledged that those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice.
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