Gombe State: Urges Stronger NHRC Human Rights Collaboration

• Gombe State Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau has called for stronger collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to address rising human rights violations.
• Jatau highlighted increasing gender-based violence, humiliation of widows, and men failing family responsibilities as key concerns, noting that nearly all family complaints come from women.
• He linked unresolved grievances and rights violations to social problems like drug abuse and threats to peace and security.
• The Deputy Governor suggested incorporating the NHRC into Gombe State's Task Force on Public Health Emergency Management to enhance stability and development.
• NHRC Gombe State Coordinator Dr. Joseph Kwanshe commended the state government's developmental initiatives and commitment to peace during his familiarization visit.

Gombe State is actively pursuing a strengthened Gombe NHRC human rights collaboration to combat the rising tide of human rights violations within its borders.

Gombe State is actively pursuing a strengthened Gombe NHRC human rights collaboration to combat the rising tide of human rights violations within its borders. Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau recently underscored the critical importance of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), describing it as a vital institution for maintaining societal peace and preventing conflicts. His call for a more robust partnership came during a courtesy visit from Dr. Joseph Kwanshe, the Gombe State Coordinator of the NHRC, and his management team on Tuesday.

Deputy Governor Jatau emphasized that the state government is prepared to work closely with the NHRC, acknowledging the commendable and humanistic objectives of the commission. He urged the federal body to intensify its public awareness campaigns, ensuring that residents are fully informed about its mandate and the available avenues for seeking redress when their rights are infringed upon. This proactive engagement is seen as crucial for fostering a rights-respecting environment across the state.

During the meeting, Deputy Governor Jatau highlighted several critical areas of concern regarding Gombe State human rights violations. He expressed significant alarm over the increasing prevalence of gender-based violence Gombe, alongside instances of alleged humiliation faced by widows at the hands of their deceased husbands' families. Furthermore, he pointed to the failure of some men to uphold their family responsibilities as a persistent issue. Jatau revealed that a striking proportion, nearly 100 percent, of the family-related complaints brought to his office originate from women, underscoring the gendered nature of many grievances.

Beyond domestic issues, Jatau drew a direct link between unresolved grievances and broader social problems, including the escalating challenge of drug abuse. He posited that some individuals resort to drug abuse as a consequence of their rights being violated, noting that this issue has become a substantial societal concern. The Deputy Governor also warned that unaddressed discontent, whether directed at the government or private individuals, poses a significant threat to peace and security, indicating the enormous scope of the NHRC's responsibilities in the state.

In response to these challenges, Gombe State has adopted an inclusive approach to security management, drawing inspiration from Talcott Parsons' theory that every individual plays a crucial role in achieving collective goals. This strategy encourages broad participation from various societal sectors in addressing security concerns, recognizing that every person and institution has a part to play. As part of this framework, the state maintains a Task Force on Public Health Emergency Management, which includes representatives from the health sector, traditional institutions, security agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations.

Deputy Governor Jatau proposed the integration of the NHRC into this existing task force, suggesting that its mandate could significantly contribute to the state's overall development and stability, thereby strengthening Nigeria human rights enforcement at the local level. He also extended a broader appeal to the approximately 135 Federal Government institutions operating in Gombe, urging them to enhance their engagement with both the state government and the public. Jatau called on these agencies to clearly articulate their presence and mandates to facilitate more purposeful Manassah Jatau NHRC partnership and inter-agency collaborations.

Dr. Joseph Kwanshe, the Gombe State Coordinator for the National Human Rights Commission Gombe, explained that his visit was primarily to familiarize himself with the state government following his recent posting. He took the opportunity to commend Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya's administration for its commitment to developmental initiatives and the infrastructural support provided to Federal Government agencies housed at the Federal Secretariat. Kwanshe also lauded the state government's dedication to fostering peace and harmonious coexistence among its diverse population.

Established in 1995 by the National Human Rights Commission Act, and later amended in 2010 to grant it quasi-judicial powers, the NHRC commenced its operations with a mandate to protect and promote human rights across Nigeria. The Deputy Governor's assurance of the government's readiness to partner with the commission underscores the mutual recognition of the NHRC's vital role in upholding justice and ensuring the well-being of Gombe's citizens.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Gombe State should be aware of the strengthened collaboration between the state government and the NHRC, which may lead to increased scrutiny and enforcement of human rights, particularly concerning gender-based violence and family-related grievances. This partnership could provide new avenues for redress or require a more proactive approach to compliance for entities operating within the state.

Source: Original reporting via The Punch