The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is to partner with the Equality Development and Research Centre (EDR-centre), a non-governmental organisation, to curb workplace bullying.

Tony Ojukwu, the NHRC executive secretary, said this when Marshal Nwanne, Founder of the EDR-centre, paid a visit to the NHRC in Abuja.

Mr Ojukwu said the NHRC is dedicated to combating workplace bullying and envisioned targeting and ending all forms of inequality in Nigeria. The executive secretary welcomed the partnership and hoped the two organisations would work together and achieve the desired result.

Mr Ojukwu said no condition justified torture and described it as “one human rights violation” without justification.

“Indeed, bullying is not good, and we have been preaching and fighting against it alone. Thank God today we have a partner in EDR centre that is ready to work squarely on this area,” Mr Ojukwu explained. “We are going to sign a memorandum of understanding with you so that the work we are doing in this area would not only be in the Federal Capital (Territory) but across the 36 states where the commission has offices.”

The NHRC boss said the first place to focus on would be the family, schools and other institutions.

According to him, Nigerians generally have been bullied to the extent that they have seen it as normal.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people are depressed. Some have gone into mental torture because of one form of bullying or another,” said Mr Ojukwu.

(NAN)