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Map of Nigeria showing Gombe State
By Ahmad Umar
Stakeholders on Child welfare in Gombe State, north-east of the country have urged the government not to delay the passage of Child Rights Act into law.
The Act which was adopted by the Nigerian Government in 2003, allows various State governments to domesticate same based on their peculiar situations.
Speaking at a one-day consultative meeting organised by UNICEF in partnership with the Gombe State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare on Monday, the chairman, subcommittee on Child Right Act Domestication Committee, Abdulganiyu Bello said the committee has completed its task and would soon submit the draft bill to the State government.
The government, he said, had established a 15-member committee comprising the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Jama’tu Nasrul Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Traditional leaders, Non-governmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisations to domesticate and come out with a draft bill.
Bello who did not give details of the committee’s work, said the document would check child as it relates to life, education as well as other fundamental rights.
“The committee has completed its job and written to the state government for a date to present the report.” he said.
UNICEF Child Protection Specialist in Bauchi Field Office, Ladi Alabi said the forum was to provide a platform to know exactly how far the committee had gone and also afford participating stakeholders the opportunity to discuss strategies and actions.
These, include identifying prospective champions who can be positive Voices in both Urban and rural communities, as well as government and non-governmental strings for Child Right Act passage.
