By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
The newly signed Sokoto State Child Protection Law is a true reflection of the character and position and religious beliefs of the people in the State, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said.
The governor who spoke shortly after signing the Child Rights Act hinted that in Sokoto, after wider consultations and inputs from Ulamas, the agreed-on Child Protection Law which he is optimistic other States will learn and emulate in no distance time.
The governor, while debunking fears that the new law was geared towards promoting Western ideology and culture, said it was rather done to promote humanity and ensure an egalitarian society
Talking of how the doggedness of the United Nations Country Resident Coordinator, Mr. Edward Karlon has helped in no small measure in projecting all UN activities in Nigeria. Tambuwal however applauded Karlon for visiting every 36 States in Nigeria despite security challenges.
"I want to use this avenue to commend, Mr. Edward Karlon as the only United Nations representative that has visited all the 36 States of the federation not minding the security challenges.
"All the 36 governors of Nigeria are very happy with Karlon that he has engaged with sub-national governments better than all his predecessors", said Tambuwal.
Earlier in her submission, the acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Women and Children Affairs, Hajiya Kulu Nuhu, disclosed that no fewer than 572 cases of SGB were recorded in Sokoto State between 2020 and 2021.
Hajiya Kulu however decried that 56 of these incidences were filled but just 22 are in Court and 7 convictions recorded with 551 of the survivors getting psychosocial support within the period under review.
In her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Hajiya Kulu, Abdullahi Sifawa joyfully announced that the Ministry has recognized Tambuwal's commitments to the development of humanity and therefore awarded him with the title of "Advocate of Children In Nigeria".
Kulu further assured that the Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that women and children are protected from all forms of violence.
On his part, Sokoto State deputy governor, Hon Manir Dan'Iya, noted that Tambuwal is one individual that remained concerned about addressing the root cause of GBV, hence committed to diverse plans towards improving the lives of women and children in Sokoto and beyond.
Speaking on his part, the UN Country Resident Coordinator, Mr. Edward Karlon, said he was impressed by the landmark achievements and governance style of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in Sokoto State.
"I am full of joy that Sokoto is signing the child rights act into law. The adoption of the law has never been easy looking at what I have seen so far in some States.
"Traditional and religious institutions see the law as promoting the western cultures. That is why I am congratulating the Sokoto State government for taking the bold step towards ending GBV.
"I know it's not easy to get this law to see the light of the day. I know that the Sultan of Sokoto constituted about 15 council members alongside other religious leaders to review the law. But today, Sokoto has signed the two critical laws that could guarantee the rights of children in the state" Mr. Karlon said happily.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar 111 on his part, expressed his happiness to have witnessed the signing of the Sokoto State Child Protection Law.
The Sultan who was represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Prof Sambo Wali Junaid, said they have successfully scrutinized the law to ensure that whatever content in the law does not contradict the culture and religion of the people of Sokoto State.
"Being an advocate of zero tolerance for cases of GBV, it is my pride to hear that other states will subsequently adopt our Child Protection Law considering the fact that it has been thoroughly reviewed to be in line with our religious beliefs". NNL.
