RECEF Seeks Partnership with Kogi OPD to Strengthen Access to Justice, Protect Vulnerable Groups

The Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation (RECEF) has sought collaboration with the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender (OPD) to strengthen access to justice and address human rights-related barriers affecting healthcare delivery across the state.

Speaking during an advocacy visit, the Programme Officer of RECEF, Whitney Ekoriko Utibe, presented an overview of the Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project being implemented in Kogi State to improve the quality, accessibility and responsiveness of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria services.

Utibe explained that the project provides a platform for communities to identify, document and report barriers limiting access to healthcare while promoting accountability and responsive service delivery.

According to her, routine CLM activities have revealed that stigma, discrimination, gender-based violence and other human rights violations remain major obstacles preventing vulnerable populations from accessing essential healthcare services.

She noted that such challenges negatively affect health outcomes and undermine efforts aimed at achieving equitable and people-centred healthcare delivery.

Utibe said the engagement with the Office of the Public Defender became necessary because of its mandate to promote access to justice and provide legal support to vulnerable persons, adding that the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law presents an opportunity to strengthen protection mechanisms for survivors of violence and rights violations.

She expressed optimism that collaboration between the CLM Project and the OPD would improve access to legal remedies, increase awareness of legal rights and provide stronger protection for vulnerable populations across Kogi State.

Also speaking, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of RECEF, Adaudi Joseph, urged the Office of the Public Defender to partner with the CLM Project in strengthening referral pathways for cases involving stigma, discrimination, gender-based violence and other human rights violations that hinder access to healthcare services.

Joseph further called for support in creating awareness and sensitizing communities on the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law and the availability of free legal aid services, particularly among vulnerable and underserved populations.

He said the anticipated collaboration would help reduce human rights-related barriers to quality healthcare and enhance protection for vulnerable groups.

In his remarks, Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina disclosed that RECEF, a non-governmental organisation, focuses on health, human rights and legislative engagement, and is currently implementing programmes on gender and human rights.

Muraina explained that part of the organisation’s activities involves visits to healthcare facilities in five local government areas where the project is being implemented, namely Okene, Okehi, Adavi, Ajaokuta and Ogori-Magongo.

According to him, the visits are aimed at identifying cases of human rights abuses, discrimination against vulnerable populations and assessing government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services.

Responding, the Director-General of the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender, Barr. Musa Onogo Idris, assured RECEF of the agency’s readiness to collaborate, particularly in addressing human rights violations and providing free legal services to vulnerable persons.

He revealed that the office also operates an Alternative Dispute Resolution desk and pledged to partner with RECEF in educating residents on their rights.

Idris emphasized that the partnership would help strengthen justice delivery and promote the protection of vulnerable groups across the state.