The Bauchi House of Assembly has vowed to fast-track the passage of the Child Rights Bill, according to Speaker Abubakar Suleiman.
Suleiman made this announcement during an Orientation Workshop organized by Plan International Nigeria for members of the house in Abuja.
According to NAN,Bauchi State is the only state in Nigeria that has not yet domesticated the Child Rights Act, which was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.
Speaker Suleiman expressed his commitment to ending the delay in passing the bill and assured that the House would promptly address the matter. He indicated that the House will immediately take up the bill to ensure its passage during the House’s convergence.
Suleiman emphasized the importance of the bill in improving the lives of children, stating, “We are here today for a special assignment that is aimed at passing a decision to better the lives of our children. I want to tell us that we are committed about these issues, and the delay in not passing the bill has come to an end.”
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He affirmed that upon returning to Bauchi, the House would pass the bill into law after going through the required readings. The first reading has already been done, and the House is determined to proceed with the second and third readings.
Furthermore, Speaker Suleiman assured Plan International Nigeria and other development partners of the House’s readiness and dedication to projects that promote the well-being of the people of Bauchi State.
The Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, Mr. Charles Usie, explained the significance of the orientation workshop for the newly elected members of the House. He stated that the workshop aimed to familiarize them with the process and importance of ratifying the child rights law.
Usie highlighted that Plan International Nigeria, through its Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (ASPIRE) project, has been providing advocacy and technical support to the state legislators, preparing the ground for the ratification of the child rights law. He emphasized the need to bring the new members up to speed, as 90 percent of them are new to the House.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs in Bauchi State, Plan International Nigeria had engaged in the development, validation, and finalization of the child protection bill, supporting the process until its submission to the State House of Assembly.
To support the successful passage of the bill into law and its subsequent signing by the Executive Governor, Plan International Nigeria pledged to continue its assistance.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Chief Magistrate, Amina Ahmed, called on the House to carefully examine the grey areas of the bill, especially regarding the “Bauchi State Child Protection Law” and its alignment with the national standards. She emphasized that the bill, comprising 28 parts and 255 sections, would go a long way in addressing the issues affecting children in the state.
