Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
The Governor of Sokoto State, Mr. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has assented to the Child Protection Bill that was passed recently by the state’s House of Assembly.
Tambuwal signed the law in an elaborate ceremony at the Chamber of the Government House, Sokoto on Monday.
The event was attended by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon; the Chief Field Officer of UNICEF in Sokoto, Mr. Maulid Warfar and plan international representative and other dignitaries.
The governor noted that the domestication of the Child Right Act 2003 that was passed by the federal government during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been difficult for the state governments due cultural and religious differences.
He described the law as the major landmark achievements of his administration and commended the key actors that ensured that it suited and conformed to states enshrined cultural and religious concerns.
He stressed that state government under his watch would continue to protect the lives of citizens, especially growing children and women development.
According to him, Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law was also signed by his administration, which also showed commitments to end all forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV), sexual abuse and related abnormalities in the society.
He maintained that the bill was possible through the efforts and commitments of the Sultanate Council, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Suleiman Usman (SAN), Commissioner for Women Affairs and others stressing that the law conformed with the character concerns of the people of Sokoto State.
The governor also commended members of the state’s assembly for their commitment, resilience, understanding and foresight on the passage of the bill.
Tambuwal said: ”We deployed legislative prowess to ensure harmonious working relationship with legislatives as we initially have 16 All Progressive Congress (APC) lawmakers against 14 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the house.
”We have best Child Protection Law and VAPP and urges other states to emulate us as they translate the character concerns of people of the state,” he said.
He assured more government intervention especially on survivors’ shelters and others needs mentioned during the progress report review of EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Project in the state.
Tambuwal commended Kallon for his efforts as the representative that visited almost all the 36 states of the federation within these trying times of security challenges.
”Governors of Nigeria were pleased to work with Kallon having more engagement with Nigerians higher than any international representatives on diverse areas and sectors, ” he added.
In his remark, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who was represented by Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali-Junaidu, said that more inputs were made with recognition of lifestyles, cultural and religious values that was a focal point to others states.
Kallonm however, lauded Tambuwal’s resilience as well other bodies and individuals to ensure the enactment of the law aimed to better the lives of citizens.
He noted that EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Project was geared toward promoting the rights of individuals and ensure harmonious living condition of people that is free from all forms of violence, abuses and empowered women and girls with requisite livelihood in the society.
The event witnessed presentation of Spotlight Initiative Project progress reports of all active players, areas of coverage, partnerships, figures, challenges as well as children parliament presentations of different educational and health topics with needed intervention.
