By: Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Orientation for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN) has successfully trained 20 civil society organizations (CSOs) from Nigeria’s Northwest to tackle human rights abuses, equipping them with essential paralegal skills to promote justice and accountability.
Supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the training included four participants from each of the five states in the region—Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, and Zamfara.
The two-day program was designed to provide frontline youth activists with basic legal knowledge and practical tools to deliver “legal first aid” to victims of human rights violations in their communities. Participants were trained to mediate disputes, guide citizens, and connect them with legal avenues for redress.
Organizers emphasized that access to justice extends beyond courtrooms and police stations, highlighting the crucial role community-based paralegals play in addressing social, economic, and legal challenges. The program also sought to protect citizens from potential rights violations by law enforcement agents.
Facilitated by respected legal practitioners, Barrister Abba Hikima and Barrister Ammani Maizare, the training offered practical guidance on assisting indigent persons, resolving conflicts, and engaging effectively with human rights institutions.
OCCEN stated that the paralegal initiative forms part of its broader commitment to strengthening civic participation, promoting transparency, and ensuring that marginalized communities are empowered to defend their fundamental rights.