YouthHubAfrica Celebrates Passage of ‘Child Protection Bill’ in Sokoto State

• The much-awaited 'Child Protection Bill’ by the Sokoto state House of Assembly recently passed the 3rd reading
• Governor Aminu Tambuwal has been urged to sign the bill into law to safeguard the future of every child in Sokoto state
• The YouthHubAfrica says the new development in the northwest state is a worthy step by its authorities

FCT, Abuja - YouthHubAfrica and members of the civil society coalition have congratulated the Sokoto government on the passage of the ‘Child Protection Bill’ into law in the state.

Part of a statement sent to Legit.ng by Rotimi Olawale, convener of YouthHub Africa read:

“This is a remarkable step in the right direction as the bill recently passed the 3rd reading, awaiting assent by the Executive Governor of Sokoto state- Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.”

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Legit.ng gathered that the relentless advocacy efforts by YouthHubAfrica and other concerned citizens, led to the passage of the bill.

The ‘Child Rights Bill’ whose nomenclature was changed to the ‘Child Protection Bill’ by the state house of Assembly is a requisite step towards the domestication of the Child Rights Act, adopted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2003.

Olawale further said:

“The domestication of the Child protection bill in Sokoto state will safeguard the rights and privileges of every Nigerian child, ensure parents and guardians fulfil their obligation to protect the child, prioritise access to education especially for the girl-child amongst several other demands.

“YouthHubAfrica is delighted to have worked with partners, Civil Society Organisations, non-state actors, stakeholders, and concerned citizens in the last 4 years to advocate for the passage of the Child Rights Act into law in Sokoto state.

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“We further urge His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto state - Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to sign this bill into law, speedily to safeguard the future of every child in Sokoto state.

“The ‘Child Protection Bill’ once domesticated will place Sokoto state as the 27th state to have taken a worthy step, thereby setting the pace for other states yet to pass the Child Rights Bill into law to follow suit.

“While we await this necessary action by the Executive Governor of Sokoto state, We extend a hearty congratulations to the good people of Sokoto state.”

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The CSOs stated that the cases have been on the rise despite the State of Emergency on Gender-Based Violence, declared by Nigerian governors in 2020.

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FG to review Nigeria’s national gender policy

Meanwhile, the federal government is currently undergoing the review of Nigeria's National Gender Policy.

The head, Gender-Based Violence and Data Management Branch in the ministry of women affairs, Mrs. Udeme Abia disclosed this recently.

Mrs. Abia added that the African Development Bank is supporting the national gender policy situation analysis with support from the ministry's consultant Professor Olabisi Aina, stressing that the review is long overview since the last one was held in 2006.

Source: Legit.ng