Isiyaku Ahmed
The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Program (RoLAC II), funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), in partnership with three civil society organizations, has launched a poster dissemination and awareness campaign in Kano.
The campaign, held on Friday at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, was organized under the theme, “Amplifying Community Messages for Safer, Inclusive and Protective Communities.”
The initiative seeks to use trusted media, community networks and local voices to promote accurate, accessible and actionable information on safety, inclusion, rights, protection and peaceful coexistence.
Speaking at the event, Kano State Project Coordinator of RoLAC II, Ibrahim Bello, said the nine awareness posters were designed to educate the public on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), inclusion of persons with special needs and child protection.
Bello said the posters were developed in collaboration with the Adolescent Health Information Projects (AHIP), Bridge Connect Africa Initiative and Vulnerable People’s Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI).
He said the initiative was aimed at raising public awareness and addressing issues affecting vulnerable groups, particularly SGBV, stigma against persons with special needs, and the exploitation and abuse of children.
According to him, the nine posters were produced through technical sessions involving the partner CSOs and consultants to provide clear and accessible information to communities.
He appreciated the partner organisations, technical consultants, media and other stakeholders for their commitment to promoting awareness and protecting vulnerable members of society.
Bello also commended the Kano State Government for its continued support, noting that RoLAC had maintained a strong working relationship with the state since commencing operations in 2017.
He specifically acknowledged the cooperation of the Kano State Judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission in advancing the program’s interventions in the state.
He expressed optimism that the campaign would contribute to building safer, more inclusive and protective communities in Kano.
Justice Ministry Reaffirms Commitment
Also speaking, the Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude, SAN, represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Salisu M. Tahir, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to promoting access to justice and protecting vulnerable and less-privileged members of society.
Maude, SAN, commended RoLAC and its civil society partners for their efforts to strengthen the justice system in Kano, noting that the commitment to justice was also consistent with Islamic teachings on fairness and protection of people’s rights.
He assured that the Ministry of Justice would continue to discharge its constitutional and moral responsibilities to ensure that everyone who approaches the courts receives justice.
Disability Rights Advocate Commends RoLAC
A representative of JONAPED and the Spinal Cord Injuries Association (SCIAN), Kano State Branch, Abba T. Sharif, also commended RoLAC for strengthening justice administration, promoting citizens’ rights and supporting vulnerable groups.
Sharif said the programme had supported women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups through legal-rights awareness programmes.
He added that RoLAC’s collaboration with government agencies, CSOs, the media and community organisations had helped improve public understanding of rights and access to justice.
Consultant Explains Message Amplification
The consultant who facilitated the design of the posters and Creative Director and Founder of Meraki Technologies, Sumayya Umar Tofa, said amplifying messages for safer, inclusive and protective communities involved strategically using trusted media, community networks and local voices to ensure that accurate, accessible and actionable information reached diverse groups.
She explained that effective message amplification could strengthen public awareness of rights and risks, counter harmful narratives, promote inclusion and empower communities to prevent and respond to threats.
The event was attended by traditional and religious leaders, representatives of civil society organizations, the Kano State Ministries of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Disabilities, the Ministry of Justice, and members of the media.
