The Borno House of Assembly says it is working towards domesticating the Child Rights Act to ensure improved well-being for children in the state.
Alhaji Abdullahi Askira, the deputy speaker of the house said this at the opening of a Public Hearing on the domestication of the Act in the state on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
Askira said that the domestication of the Act would make relevant government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) improve the protection and wellbeing of children.
“Every day we hear the increasing reports of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation against children.
“Passage of this bill will greatly address the situation in the state especially when we embark on implementation and enforcement of the law.
“As part of our people-oriented policy, we felt getting the opinion of the people on this important bill will be a decision in the direction.
“We, therefore, invited you to hear your thoughts and feelings on the content of the bill. We are hopeful that your contributions will further enhance the quality of the bill,” he said.
While urging for fruitful deliberations on the bill, Askira announced that Gov. Babagana Zulum has shown commitment to signing the bill into law as soon as it was passed by the house.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Ad hoc Committee on Child Rights Bill, Alhaji Ali Gajiram, lauded all stakeholders that worked closely with the house on the bill, particularly ministries of Women Affairs and Justice.
“We want to ensure that the bill is not in conflict with the culture, tradition, and beliefs of the people of Borno.
“In fact, the objective of the bill is the protection of children and not conflict with our religion, culture, or tradition.
“The rate of abuse of children especially sexual abuse is alarming, we all need to go the extra mile to ensure children are protected and perpetrators are punished.
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“The law made provision for saving children that are at risk of abuse such as neglected orphans, children whose parents have been convicted of sexual abuse, whose parents suffer from mental sickness.
“Similarly, committees such as Child Right implementation committee and Fosterage Committee will be put in place to serve as watchdog in the implementation of the law when passed into law,” Gajiram said.
The Speaker of the state Children’s Parliament, Master Ibrahim Zanna-Sunoma, expressed joy over the renewed commitment by all stakeholders to ensure the passage of the bill, pointing out that its passage would serve as the foundation for a better society for children.
Over 40 organizations and associations participated at the public hearing where oral and written memoranda were collected by the committee. (NAN)
