Inadequate level of public awareness, public perception on operational procedures, underfunding, traditional and cultural norms have been identified as some of the major challenges bedevilling the National Human Rights Commission Kano office.
Kano state coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Alhaji Shehu Abdullahi made the disclosure, during an exclusive interview with Radio Nigeria’s correspondent in Kano.
The state Coordinator noted that, complainants and respondents, often refuse to accept the outcomes of cases most especially issues related to marital and family life.
Alhaji Shehu highlighted that, NHRC conducts proper investigations on allegations by complainants and respondents before logical conclusion of cases.
He maintained that, the agency do not drop cases due to provocation by some of the complainers or respondents, but rather refer or enlighten the person to understand the procedures, if he or she is ignorant on violations reported.
“Some complainants think NHRC only deals with issues of western ideologies”.
The Coordinator explained that, in August the agency received 102 complaints, 78 concluded and 24 pending, saying that 64 were recorded in September 2022.
He said the prevalence thematic areas in Kano are abandonment of family responsibilities, domestic violence, children custody and labour matters.
Alhaji Shehu, attributed marital and domestic violence to poverty, ignorance of family responsibilities by both parties, inadequate pre marital counseling among others.
The Coordinator charged Kano state government to expedite action in mapping out policies and legal frame work such as Kano state family law, which would go a long way in mitigating societal problems.
“Considering the high percentage of such cases, our family life is something that needs to be adjusted or take precautions to address the problems”.
In a similar development, Radio Nigeria spoke with 42 year old Malam Yusuf Musa who was at National Human Rights Commission Kano office for a peculiar case.
The father of four explained that, he is seeking for the custody of his daughter through NHRC.
He appealed to the agency to do everything within it’s powers to assist him as the girl needs medical attention.
KHADIJAH ALIYU