UNICEF has praised Kebbi State Government for signing the State’s Child Rights Bill passed by the state House of Assembly into law, even as it called on the administration to allocate adequate resources as well as put in place mechanisms for full implementation of the rights enshrined in it.
The state governor, Abubakar Bagudu signed the Child Protection Bill into law during the weekly Executive Council Meeting. He also signed into law, the Prohibition of Violence Against Individuals..
Speaking, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins said: “We congratulate the government and people of Kebbi State on this momentous achievement. By providing legislation that protects the rights of its children, Kebbi State has taken the right decision to provide children with the enabling environment to thrive and reach their full potential”.
“Putting in place this law is good but just the first step.The Kebbi State Government must take the next important step by putting in place structures and allocating resources for its full implementation, even as we urge that the law be gazetted without delay,” Hawkins said.
According to Hawkins, “UNICEF will continue to collaborate wit the state on interventions that contribute to fulfillment of the rights of children, including implementation of the State Child Rights Law. Therefore, UNICEF calls on states that are yet to domesticate the Nigeria Child Rights Act to do so without further delay”.
In 2003, the National Assembly enacted the Child Rights Act (CRA), which derives from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to which Nigeria and the 36 states are signatories. Unfortunately, not all states in the country have domesticated the law.
By domesticating the Child Rights law, Kebbi State has joined those states that have a legislative framework through the domestication of the Nigeria Child Rights Act.
So far,31 states have enacted the Child Rights Act, while Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano and Zamfara are yet to do so.
To contribute to fulfillment of children’s rights in Nigeria, UNICEF in collaboration with partners, have been supporting the states and federal government to put in place laws and policies that effectively protect such law.
More Stories
We’ll Continue To Consider The Interest Of Persons With Disabilities-Gov Otti
Gunmen Attack Residence Of INEC’s Electoral Commissioner In Kogi
Panic As Military Helicopter Explodes At Air-Force Base