The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has signed child Protection Bill into law passed by State Assembly on 11 November, 2021 to enhance the condition of every child across the state.
Governor Tambuwal signed the law at a ceremony which was by Resident Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon, at government house chamber Sokoto.
According to Tambuwal, since the enactment of the Child Rights Act 2003 by the Federal Government under the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, state were enjoined to domesticate the law.
He said the law however become difficult due to cultural and lifestyle differences.
The Governor described the law as among the landmark achievements of his administration, while commending the efforts of the key actors, in ensuring that it suited and conformed to the cultural and religious converts of the state.
He reiterated that the state government under his watch would continue to live up to expectations of the people, especially the protection of lives of growing children and women.
According to him, 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.
Governor Tambuwal stated that based on the efforts and commitments of Sultanate Council, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Suleiman Usman (SAN), Commissioner for Women Affairs, and others, the law conformed to the concerns of the people of Sokoto state.
He also commended the State legislators for their patience, understanding and foresight on the processes of the law.
” We deployed legislative skills to ensure harmonious working relationship with the legislature, as we 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, which we urged other states to emulate as they translate the concerns of people of the state,” Governor Tambuwal said.
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.
“Nigerian Governors were pleased to work with Kallon having more engagement with Nigerian leaders, than any international representative, on diverse areas and sectors,” he added.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who was represented by Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Junaid, said more inputs were made in recognition of the peoples’ lifestyles, cultural and religious values which would attract other states to emulate.
He added that the religious and traditional institutions would continue to ensure the law will not contradict religious teaching.
Also, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr Edward Kallon, lauded Governor 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.
Mr Kallon congratulated Sokoto State for being the first to set history on the Child rights bill across the country.
The Resident Coordinator noted that 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.
The event witnessed award presentations to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, his Deputy Maniru Dan’iya, the Sultan and Sultanate Council, Waziri of Sokoto Commissioners and among others.
Dominica Nwabufo
