From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
Sokoto State Governor , Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has assented into law, the Child Right Protection Bill to promote and enhance the general well-being of the children’s in the state.
It could recall that the Sokoto State House of Assembly passes the Child Protection bill in July, 2021.
With this development ,children across the Sokoto State will be fully and adequately protected by law in accordance with religion and traditional provisions.
The colourful was performed at the Council Chamber of the Sokoto State Government, yesterday was well witnessed by the United Nation (UN) Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, UNICEF’s Chief Field Officer in Sokoto,Mr.Maulid Warfar, Plan International representative ,and other child right protection stakeholders .
Speaking,shortly after the assenting the bill into law, Governor Tambuwal noted that since the enactment of the Child Rights Act 2003 by the Federal Government led by President Olusegun Obasanjo, states were enjoined to domesticate the law which, however, become difficult due cultural and life style differences.
Tambuwal described the law as among the major achievements of the his administration in ensuring that it conformed with the cultural and religious concerns of the states.
The governor noted that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law was also signed by his administration, which also manifested government’s commitments to end all forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV), sexual abuse and related abnormalities in the society.
He stated that based on the efforts and commitments of Sultanate Council, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Suleiman Usman SAN, Commissioner for Women Affairs, and others, the law conformed to the concerns of the people of the state.
Tambuwal also commended the state legislators on the state for their patience, understanding and foresight on the processes in achieving the stated objectives.
While noted that with this development, the state have the best Child Protection Law and VAPP, and urge other states to emulate as the laws translate the concerns of people of the state.
He assured more government interventions, especially on survivors’ shelters and others needs identified in the progress report of the EU UN Spotlight Initiative Project in the state.
Tambuwal commended Mr. Edward Kallon for his efforts as a UN Representative that visited almost all the 36 states of the federation, within these trying times of security challenges.
On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who was represented by Wazirin Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali-Jubaid, said more inputs were made in recognition of the people, cultural and religious values which would attract other states to emulate.
Contributing, the UN representative commended the Tambuwal’s resilience, as well as other bodies and individuals who ensured the enactment of the law, with a view to better the lives of citizens.
Kallon maintained that the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Project was geared towards promoting the rights of individuals and ensure harmonious living of the people devoid of any forms of violence, abuses, while empowering women and girls with the requisite livelihood skills in the society.
