The 2022-2026 Action Plan aimed at safeguarding and advancing human rights in Nigeria has been given the green light by the country's Federal Government. The announcement was made by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, during a press conference on Wednesday, following a weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council led by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja. Malami stated that the plan was developed by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in collaboration with other stakeholders. The decision to create the plan was prompted by President Buhari's administration's adherence to the National Human Rights Commission's (NHRC) verdict and the disbursement of N135 million in compensation to the victims and their families of the Apo six killings that occurred on September 18, 2013.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, also mentioned that a committee for the protection of journalists declared Nigeria as the sole African country last year that was entirely compliant with safeguarding the rights of journalists. He noted that this was due to the absence of any reported incidents of journalists' fatalities in Nigeria due to related violations. Malami emphasized that the objective of the policy is to reinforce and enhance Nigeria's adherence to human rights principles, given the country's accomplishments and advancements in human rights under the present government.

The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, highlighted that President Muhammadu Buhari's administration has made history by being the first and only government in Nigeria to embrace, accommodate, and enforce the Human Rights Commission's decisions. He cited the example of the Apo six case, where the government was found to have violated the human rights of certain individuals, as judged by the commission. Malami noted that the unfortunate incident occurred prior to the current administration's tenure, and the government was held responsible for paying approximately N135 million to the families of the victims as compensation for the alleged violations.

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari ensured the payment of N135 million to the Apo Six in accordance with the National Human Rights Commission's recommendations, demonstrating the government's commitment to implementing the commission's suggestions.It's worth noting that the international committee responsible for the protection of journalists recently declared Nigeria as the only African country last year that fully adhered to the protection of journalists' rights. This declaration was based on the fact that no journalist deaths in Nigeria resulted from any violations.

The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, clarified that the newly formulated action plan is aimed at demonstrating Nigeria's alignment with international standards in protecting human rights.

He explained that the proposal was presented to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval to submit to the International Human Rights committee. The purpose is to demonstrate that Nigeria has moved beyond domestic compliance to international standards, as far as promoting and safeguarding human rights are concerned.

Malami expressed satisfaction with the council's deliberation, noting that they had granted approval for the proposal to be presented before the International Committee on Human Rights.

Mahammad Abubakar, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, announced that an initial sum of six billion naira has been earmarked for the commencement of the construction of the new headquarters. The proposed building will be a 10-story structure named Agriculture House.

In his statement, he explained that the purpose of the memo presented was to seek approval for the construction of the ministry's corporate headquarters in Abuja. The ministry has not had a dedicated headquarters since its relocation to Abuja over 30 years ago. The current office, which comprises only three floors and is shared with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, cannot accommodate the entire ministry. Additionally, there are four departments that operate outside the main ministry.

The Minister also mentioned that the ministry will seek additional funds from the presidency and other sources to complete the Agriculture House project.

Regarding the high cost of rice in the country, Abubakar stated that the government is making significant efforts to increase the availability of rice in the market and reduce its price. Nigeria is currently the leading rice producer in Africa. The minister also revealed that 10 rice mills are being constructed through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement, and the President has provided intervention funds to ensure their completion. Some of these mills will be commissioned before the end of the current administration.