By Lucy Ogalue
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting businesses and advancing ethical and responsible business practices across Africa.
Dr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, emphasised the commitment in a statement issued by Mrs Olayemi John-Mensah, ACCI Media/Strategy Officer, on Saturday in Abuja.
Ojukwu spoke at a groundbreaking webinar organised by both organisations in Abuja, titled “Promoting Responsible Business Practices in Africa: Leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Respect and Remedy for Human Rights.”
“As we strive for economic integration through the AfCFTA, we must uphold human rights as a central tenet of our business practices.
“The AfCFTA plays a pivotal role in fostering a unified market for Africa’s 1.3 billion people while ensuring the protection of fundamental rights,” Ojukwu said.
He highlighted Nigeria’s leadership in human rights advocacy through the adoption of a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, making Nigeria the third African country to implement such a framework.
Dr Emeka Obegolu, President of ACCI, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to fostering ethical business practices.
He emphasised the transformative potential of the AfCFTA, describing it as the largest free-trade area in the world by participating countries.
Obegolu noted that the AfCFTA offered immense opportunities for trade, investment, and industrial growth, stressing that these benefits must align with a strong commitment to human rights.
Mr Agabaidu Jideani, Director-General of ACCI, called for collective action among stakeholders to integrate human dignity into business operations.
He urged businesses to adopt human rights-focused policies and frameworks to create a resilient and accountable business environment across the continent.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the webinar served as a platform for discussions among business leaders, civil society organisations, government officials, and human rights advocates.
NAN also reports that the participants explored ways to shape a fair and just economic landscape in Africa by embedding human rights in business practices.
NAN