WIHYE Rallies Media, Stakeholders to Champion Human Rights, Inclusion in Kaduna

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

The call for tolerance, inclusion, and respect for human dignity echoed powerfully in Kaduna as the Wavemakers Initiative for Health and Youth Empowerment (WIHYE) held a four-day capacity-building workshop for journalists, media practitioners, community members, and key stakeholders on “Human Rights and Diverse SOGIESC Values.”

The intensive training aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to report and engage on issues affecting sexual and gender minorities with fairness, empathy, and professionalism, reinforcing the belief that human rights belong to everyone.

In his remarks, Chief Ikeokwu Benneth Nduka, Executive Director of WIHYE, described the workshop as “a journey of understanding and renewal,” underscoring his organization’s mission to promote inclusion and equality.

“At WIHYE, we believe every human being deserves dignity, no matter who they are or how they identify. 

“That’s why we continue to build the capacity of journalists, law enforcement, and community leaders because real change starts with knowledge and empathy,” he said.

Ikeokwu revealed that WIHYE’s engagements with traditional and religious leaders, yielded tremendous outcomes on the promotion of Human Rights and Justice for all in the state.

One major outcome of those efforts, he noted, is the new Law Enforcement Guide on Protecting Persons with Diverse Identities in Kaduna State: a handbook developed in collaboration with partners to help police officers uphold rights while enforcing the law.

He announced plans to distribute the guide to the Police Headquarters, Legal Aid Council, Ministry of Justice, and the NUJ, alongside a new training module designed for police academies to integrate human rights education into their curriculum.

“Our goal is simple, to build a Kaduna and a Nigeria where no one is attacked, humiliated, or denied justice because of who they are. Injustice to one is injustice to all,” Ikeokwu added. 

From the human rights perspective, Dr. Terngu Gwar, State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Kaduna, said the training was timely and critical. 

He warned that discrimination and abuse against sexual minorities are clear violations of fundamental rights protected by law.

“They are first and foremost human beings. Their rights must be protected like everyone else’s. Many face harassment, arbitrary arrests, and denial of healthcare and this is simply not right,” he said firmly.

Dr. Gwar emphasized the media’s power to shape public opinion, urging journalists to report through a human rights lens. 

“The way you frame stories can either promote tolerance or fuel stigma. We must choose to inform, not inflame,” he told participants.

For Mrs. Catherine Ayuba, Director of Prevention at the Kaduna State AIDS Control Agency (KADSACA), protecting rights also means protecting health. 

She reminded participants that stigma often drives people underground, worsening public health challenges.

“We cannot reduce HIV and STI infections if people are afraid to seek help.

“Advocating condom use is not about promoting immorality, it’s about saving lives and promoting responsibility,” she said.

Ayuba commended WIHYE and the media for their partnership, stressing that accurate information remains the strongest weapon against disease and discrimination.

Legal protection also featured prominently in the discussions. Barrister Jumai Musa, of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (Kaduna Branch), declared that justice must never be selective.

“Our duty is simple, to defend the rights of all individuals, regardless of who they are. When you report, remember: your stories should protect, not persecute. Everyone deserves a fair chance before the law,” she said.

She praised the collaboration between the media, civil society, and the police, pledging that the Legal Aid Council would continue to stand up for victims of injustice, even if it means taking midnight calls for emergency cases.

Representing the Nigeria Police Force, SP Dominic David Aku, Officer in Charge of Gender, Kaduna Command, reaffirmed the police’s commitment to rights protection through collaboration.

“Synergy is the key. The police, the media, and communities must work together to stop violence and discrimination. We will keep protecting rights, supporting victims, and building safer communities” he said.

He added that joint action between security agencies and civil society organizations like WIHYE has already improved responses to gender-based violence cases across Kaduna.

On his part, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, said the training had been eye-opening for the media community.

“It has exposed us to the legal instruments we can rely on in defending human rights through our reports.

“When journalists protect the rights of the vulnerable, we protect the fabric of society itself.” he said.

Alabelewe called on journalists to rise above bias and prejudice, stressing that accurate, compassionate storytelling can change perceptions and save lives.

The four-day workshop ended with a renewed commitment among participants to promote justice, equality, and inclusion in their respective fields. 

For WIHYE and its partners, the message remains clear: human rights are not privileges to be earned, they are universal guarantees that must be defended by all.