From Desmond Mgboh
The Society for Family Health (SFH) has lauded law enforcement agencies in Nigeria for their commitment to human rights, inclusion and diversity in HIV service delivery
Managing Director, Society for Family Health, Omokhudu Idogho stated this in his message at a 3-day workshop for the law enforcement personnel from the North East and North West region which was held in Bauchi State.
The sensitization workshop focused on general health issues, gender diversity and human rights as they relate to the survival of the key populations.
Dogho, who was represented by the Chief of Party, KP-CARE2 Project of the SFH, Abdulsamad Salihu said law enforcement agencies have shown serious commitment to its partnership with the SFH.
He said, “It is with no doubt that our gallant and prestigious law enforcement personnel are through considerable tests of their resolve by the significant increase in criminal activities in the country, especially because of the challenges with poverty, inflation, banditry and insurgency.”
The SFH boss concluded: “We also know that over 200 million Nigerians rely on the law enforcement agencies for their security and livelihoods, many of which are also supported by SFH.”
In his address, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Mohammed Musa disclosed that gender inequalities are not new concepts but that their pervasiveness has brought them to international focus.
He pointed out that the police force as an institution is a major stakeholder in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women, guided by its mandate to maintain peace and uphold fundamental rights to freedom.
The police boss further explained that every individual deserved safety and respect, but that the scourge of rape and defilement are curbed, and that women and girl child and boys can live their lives free from fear, intimidation and harassment.
He expressed hope that the training program would facilitate a smooth police service delivery and improve the areas of gender sensitivity in the Force.
In his speech, the Zonal Commander of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), Zone B, Idris Mohammed Bello thanked the Society for Family Health for its commitment to confronting the HIV menace over the years and the benefits therein.
The NDLEA boss expressed optimism that participants will leave the training better equipped to stem the problem due to the increased knowledge they will acquire from the training.
Bello also informed that this was the second time he would be attending the Society for Family Health sensitization training for officers with his strong belief that the participants would live with the takeaway and even impact the knowledge on others.
Other agencies in attendance at the training included the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), Hisbah Corps, representatives of the National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), heads of State AIDS Control Agencies(SACAs) and representations from KP-led Community-Based Organizations(CBOs) among others.
The training attracted officers from the North West and North East regions comprising Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba and host Bauchi States.