From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau
By The Zamfara State Advocacy Team (SAT) has called for stronger collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to combat tuberculosis (TB), gender-based violence (GBV), and human rights violations across the state.
The call was made during a courtesy visit by members of the advocacy team to the NHRC office in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Speaking during the visit, the Deputy Coordinator of the Zamfara State TB Network, Abdullahi Lawali Bungudu, said the engagement was aimed at strengthening cooperation with the commission and securing support for the effective implementation of the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) integrated approach.
According to him, the collaboration is expected to promote a shared understanding of the project’s objectives, scope, and benefits among critical stakeholders in the state.
Also speaking, the State Programme Officer (SPO), Yahaya Muhammad, briefed the NHRC State Coordinator, Abdullahi Abubakar, on findings from outreach activities conducted by community-based organisations (CBOs) on gender-based violence and gender and human rights (GBV/GHR).
Muhammad said the outreach programmes uncovered significant human rights concerns within communities and urged the commission to take appropriate action to address the violations.
He stressed that protecting the rights of TB patients, ensuring access to quality healthcare services and medication, and eliminating stigma and discrimination are essential to reducing the burden of the disease in the state.
The programme officer explained that the Zamfara TB Network, a member of the Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria, is a coalition of non-governmental and civil society organisations committed to achieving a TB-free Nigeria.
He noted that the project’s primary objective is to coordinate civil society efforts to improve access to comprehensive and high-quality tuberculosis services.
Muhammad thanked the NHRC for its engagement and assured the commission that the network would continue to equip its partner organisations with the necessary knowledge and tools to address identified challenges.
“This visit is aimed not only at strengthening existing relationships but also at laying the foundation for sustained collaboration in addressing public health and human rights challenges in Zamfara State,” he said.
In his response, the NHRC State Coordinator, Abdullahi Abubakar, pledged the commission’s full support for the initiative and commended the advocacy team for its efforts.
He encouraged members of the Community-Led Monitoring Team (CLMT) to engage the commission whenever support or participation is needed during outreach activities.
Abubakar also highlighted concerns about conditions at the Gusau Correctional Centre following a recent visit, noting the absence of skill acquisition programmes and educational opportunities available in correctional facilities in some other states.
He further pointed to the prevalence of tuberculosis cases within correctional facilities and sought clarification on measures being taken by the programme to address the challenge.
The meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to closer collaboration in promoting human rights, improving public health outcomes, and advancing efforts to eliminate tuberculosis and gender-based violence in Zamfara State.
