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.
Lingzhi Global, with the slogan “For Africa, By Africa,” has launched a coffee awareness campaign in Jos, Plateau State, aimed at promoting coffee consumption while highlighting the economic, agricultural and health opportunities the coffee industry offers to individuals and the nation.
The event brought together captains of industry, political leaders, celebrities, entrepreneurs and members of the public for a celebration of coffee and its growing potential as a driver of economic development.
Speaking at the event, the organisers said the campaign goes beyond promoting Lingzhi Global’s coffee products. It seeks to educate Nigerians on the importance of coffee as one of the world’s most consumed beverages and how a thriving coffee industry can create jobs, improve livelihoods and strengthen local economies.
According to the organisers, increased coffee consumption will stimulate demand, encourage more people to invest in coffee farming and processing, and ultimately build a sustainable coffee value chain across Nigeria.
The campaign also encouraged participants to explore opportunities within the coffee industry, including coffee cultivation, roasting, processing, packaging, distribution and retail, positioning coffee as a viable source of entrepreneurship and employment.
As part of the exhibition, Lingzhi Global showcased a wide range of its products, including:
- Lingzhi Green Tea
- Lingzhi Black Coffee
- Lingzhi Premium Café Au Lait
- Lingzhi Premium Ginseng LG Boost
- Lingzhi Chocolate
- Lingzhi Coffee Beans
- Lingzhi Artisan Roastery
- Lingzhi Espresso
The event was organised by the Chief Executive Officer of Lingzhi Global, Blessing Nenman, who reaffirmed the company’s commitment to promoting coffee culture across Africa under its vision of “For Africa, By Africa.”
One of the highlights of the festival was the free coffee tasting session, where guests sampled different coffee varieties and experienced the unique flavours and benefits of Lingzhi Global’s products.
Organisers expressed optimism that the awareness campaign would inspire more Nigerians to embrace coffee—not only as a healthy beverage but also as a catalyst for economic empowerment, agricultural development and sustainable wealth creation.
The Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA) hosted an impactful 2026 World Social Media Day celebration in Jos, bringing together key stakeholders, media professionals, content creators, students and digital enthusiasts to promote innovation, creativity and responsible use of social media.
The event was held at Usiju World Event Center, under the theme “Digital Voices: Innovation, Creativity and Youth Engagement,” served as a platform for meaningful conversations on the growing influence of digital media, while highlighting the role of young people in driving innovation, collaboration and positive social change through online platforms.
Speaking during the event, Chairman of PLABOMA, Chief Matthew Oyerinde Tegha, has said social media has evolved beyond a communication tool to become a major driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation and civic engagement.
He said bloggers and content creators have a critical role to play in reshaping the narrative about Plateau State, urging them to use their digital platforms to promote the state’s tourism potential, cultural heritage, entrepreneurial successes and investment opportunities rather than allowing negative stories to dominate public discourse.
Tegha also called on the Plateau State Government, peace builders, entrepreneurs and business owners to work closely with bloggers and content creators in promoting Plateau’s tourism potential, cultural heritage and investment opportunities, saying such partnerships would help reshape the state’s image and drive development.
The keynote speaker and Plateau State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Kaneng Pam Hworo, challenged young people to use their digital voices as instruments for innovation, creativity and nation-building rather than spreading harmful content.
Speaking on the theme, “Digital Voices: Innovation, Creativity and Youth Engagement,” Hworo said social media has evolved beyond a communication platform into a powerful tool capable of shaping public opinion, mobilising communities and influencing national development. She noted that every post, video, podcast or livestream carries the potential to make a positive impact.
According to her, every smartphone has become a powerful platform, while every content creator has the capacity to serve as an agent of positive change. She urged youths to leverage their digital influence responsibly by promoting truth, creativity, innovation and values that contribute to the growth of their communities and the nation.
Also speaking, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Plateau State Governor, Dr. Gyang Bere, urged bloggers and content creators to use their digital platforms to promote peace, unity and responsible journalism, stressing that citizen journalism comes with the responsibility of protecting national security and fostering social cohesion.
He called on digital media practitioners to project Plateau State’s positive stories, including its development strides, tourism potential and resilient people, assuring them of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s continued support for the media in advancing responsible digital communication and sustainable development.
Member of the PLABOMA Board of Trustees, Mr. Yakubu Taddy, cautioned social media users against irresponsible online activities, warning that what people post on digital platforms could have lasting consequences on their personal and professional lives. He urged content creators to be mindful of the information they share online.
Taddy also called for stronger collaboration among media and social media organisations to promote fact-checking and responsible journalism, encouraging bloggers and digital publishers to verify information before publication in order to curb the spread of misinformation.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of PLABOMA’s Unified Bloggers Website, a first-of-its-kind platform designed to connect over 30 active bloggers, strengthen collaboration and boost the visibility of digital journalism in Plateau State.
Stakeholders at the event commended PLABOMA for launching its Unified Bloggers Website: https://plaboma.com/ , describing the initiative as a major step towards strengthening collaboration among online publishers and promoting credible digital journalism in Plateau State.
They, however, urged the association to expand the platform’s focus by promoting Plateau State’s rich tourism destinations, cultural heritage and investment opportunities, noting that consistent positive storytelling would help reshape the state’s image and attract more visitors and investors.
The Secretary of the Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA), Mr. Ibrahim Kallamu, said social media has evolved into a powerful tool for communication, business, education, news dissemination and civic engagement, urging participants to leverage digital platforms responsibly to create opportunities, promote innovation and contribute to societal development.
Popular content creator and comedian, Mr. Sunday Agbaji, popularly known as Hilarious Sunnie, highlighted the transformative power of digital media, sharing his journey in content creation and encouraging young people to embrace creativity, consistency and originality. He noted that impactful digital content has the potential to educate, inspire, entertain and create sustainable economic opportunities.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, urged young people and content creators to take advantage of the enormous economic opportunities offered by social media, stressing that impactful storytelling and content creation can be monetised to generate sustainable income while promoting positive narratives about Plateau State and Nigeria.
Representing the Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, Dr. Julie Sanda, Mr. Kenneth Dakop, Team Lead, Strategic Communication, commended PLABOMA for promoting peace and positive narratives through digital media, describing the association as a strategic partner in advancing social cohesion and assuring it of the agency’s continued support in building a peaceful and united Plateau State.
Representing the Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Maj. Gen. EF Oyinlola, Capt. CP Oteh commended PLABOMA for promoting responsible digital journalism and urged bloggers and content creators to use their platforms to support security efforts, promote peacebuilding and foster unity by sharing verified information and positive narratives about Plateau State.
The event ended with the presentation of awards to outstanding individuals and organisations, including PLASMIDA bagged an award of excellence for youth Empowerment and Development, PLASCHEMA award of excellence for effective use of social media to promote public health, NUJ Chairman Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo as Media Icon, the Plateau State Ministry of Information and communication got an award of excellence for Media Advancement , and Dr Godwin Okoko Executive Director of Bege Foundation for Youth Engagement and Impact.
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