By Elizabeth Osayande

The Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria, HRJN welcomed senior management members of Amnesty International Nigeria to its Lagos office on Tuesday, where they sealed the renewal of their collaboration on human rights advocacies.

The visitation marked the renewal of the existing collaboration between HRJN and Amnesty International Nigeria, particularly focusing on issues concerning democratic governance, electoral integrity, law and order, fundamental human rights, and freedom of expression and press in Nigeria.

During the visit, the Amnesty team was received by the HRJN senior team, led by Executive Director Kehinde Adegboyega and Co-founder Blessing Oladunjoye, including other members of the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director at Media Career Development Network, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, and the Executive Director of Journalists Against AIDS, Ms Olayide Akanni. Other members of HRJN in attendance were Communication and Strategy Lead, Shakirudeen Bankole, Legal Adviser, Mariam Nurudeen-Arole, member and Team Lead, Business Desk at News CentralNasir Agbalaya, and member and reporter at Vanguard Newspapers, Elizabeth Osayande,

The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, in the company of Civic Space and Governance Expert, and representative from their London Office, Bhavika Solanki, and Mrs. Benedicta Ofili from Abuja, expressed the organisation’s commitment to partnering with HRJN and supporting their work in widening the Civic Space and protecting fundamental human rights despite challenges and intimidation.

According to Sanusi: “Our visit to you is that we recognise the important work you are doing in the quest to widen the Civic Space, protect and preserve the fundamental human rights of the people, and your steadfastness in holding power accountable to their social contracts and duties to the people.

“ We recognize your resoluteness to continue to do this, despite the challenges and intimidations from the state and non-state actors. For instance, as we gather at this meeting now, we do not know who is next to be picked by the DSS. Yet, we still risk it, regardless.

“This is why we are very confident to tell you guys that we are committed to partnering with you and supporting your good works,” Sanusi affirmed.

While Solanki, commended the resilience of Nigerian human and civil rights defenders and journalists amid intimidations and arrests, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in upholding global civil liberties and freedoms.

Adegboyega expressed gratitude to the Amnesty International team for their continued collaboration and support, highlighting HRJN’s interventions in sensitizing human rights defenders and journalists to the ongoing State Surveillance Programme in Nigeria.

“This intervention, supported by Amnesty International Nigeria, falls under our Digital Safety and Security Series, where we have not only sensitized activists but also provided them with applications and software to protect and guarantee their safety in the line of duty,” Adegboyega explained.