Zamfara, August 12, 2026 — The Zamfara State Persons with Disabilities Board (ZSPwDB) has advanced discussions with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and promote more inclusive humanitarian interventions for persons with disabilities in the state.
The development followed a visit by a delegation from the IRC, led by its Field Coordinator, Northwest, Mr. Elijah Olusegun Olagoke, to the Board’s office. The delegation was received by the Executive Chairman of ZSPwDB, Usman Ahmad Nahuche, following the Board’s earlier correspondence seeking partnership with the humanitarian organisation.
Welcoming the delegation, Nahuche stressed the importance of strategic partnerships with development and humanitarian organisations in advancing the Board’s mandate. He introduced the Board’s institutional responsibilities and highlighted its progress as a relatively young agency, having been established about ten months ago.
The Executive Chairman also appreciated the IRC delegation for visiting the Board, noting that the Board had initially planned to visit the organisation. He described the delegation’s decision to visit the Board as a thoughtful gesture, particularly in view of accessibility considerations.
Speaking on behalf of the IRC, Olagoke expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with the Board and outlined some of the organisation’s key areas of intervention, including nutrition programmes for malnourished children, health-related interventions and humanitarian assistance for vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons.
He further explained that the IRC operates across several thematic areas and acknowledged the importance of engaging relevant disability institutions to improve the inclusiveness, accessibility and effectiveness of humanitarian programmes.
The Board Secretary, Dr. Bilyaminu Umar Kaura, commended the IRC for its longstanding interventions supporting persons with disabilities, including programmes implemented in the state before the establishment of the ZSPwDB.
Kaura, however, stressed the need for the Board to be involved in the planning and decision-making processes of interventions targeting persons with disabilities, noting that such involvement would help ensure that programmes address their actual and diverse needs.
Using assistive mobility devices as an example, he explained that the needs of persons with disabilities vary from one individual to another. He noted that a wheelchair suitable for one person may not necessarily be appropriate for another, emphasising the importance of proper assessment and consultation rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
Responding to the concerns raised, Olagoke acknowledged the issues discussed during the engagement and assured the Board that its concerns and priorities would be taken into consideration in relevant IRC interventions. He also expressed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening the inclusion of persons with disabilities in its programmes.
The engagement highlights the importance of sustained collaboration between government disability institutions and development partners in ensuring that humanitarian and development interventions are needs-based, accessible and genuinely inclusive of persons with disabilities.
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