Group lauds assembly members for the success of Child’s Right Domestication workshop in Borno
The Lead Consultant at the five days workshop organised for the members of the Borno state House of Assembly (BOHA) has commended the Assembly members for their reboust attention and contribution to he success of the workshop.
The Consultant, Dr. Umar Alkali, an Associate Professor at the Department of Law, University of Maiduguri in Borno state said the Assembly members were active and study the bill passed by the National Assembly, which government is adobting for domestication in Borno state.
Speaking on Friday after the workshop at REIZ Continental Hotel in Abuja, Dr Umar Alkali said the Child’s Right Act is the most comprehensive legislation on child protection in Nigeria. Stating that it’s domestication in Borno state is a good omen and a welcome development.
“And with the reboust attention given by the members of Borno state house of Assembly in the 5 days workshop we just concluded, one would say Borno state is ready to move with the pace towards liberating children from abuse. They have contributed immensely towards the success of this workshop. We read the bill from section one to section 206, which is the last section.
“All the members appreciate the fact that the law meant well. The law is meant to protect the children in Borno state without discrimination. The law has provided for the rights of children and equally provided responsibilities for children.
READ ALSO: Meet Ziya’u Yusuf, Abuja-Kaduna train driver, who survived bandits’ attacks
Speaking on the law and what it meant for the Borno child especially now that the state is faced with a number of unaccompanied children returning as refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Dr Alkali said: “In addition, it has provided a ministry in that regard, the ministry will be in charge of children affairs and will be responsible for the implementation of laws where committees are formed. For instance, we have Child Rights implementation committee on the bill, which is a committee that serves as the watchdog to ensure that the provisions of the bill is implemented.
“One other important aspect of the law is that it has made provisions where children are kept. For instance, where a child is in conflict with the law or in contact with the law – meaning that for instance, a child commits a crime, he is in conflict with the law. So, it is improper to keep such a child in prison where adults are kept. Because the possibility for him becoming even a more hardened criminal is there. So, the law has made provisions for correctional institution where children are kept for them to be corrected and become better members of the society.
“Always give the child a second chance because likely the crime he committed is as a result of influence of an adult. Or he does not even know that what he is doing is wrong. So, always give a child a second chance because he will be a better member of the society.”
Also speaking on the Child Rights Acts and the 12 years of insurgency in Borno state, Dr Umar Alkali said the law will help greatly in cushioning the effect of the conflict on children because of the peculiarities of Borno state being a state that pass through these periods of conflicts.
According to Alkali, the law has made provisions for many things “Like I said earlier, children in contact with the law. These are children that did not actually commit any crime but they suffered a trauma or they are abused. Because of all these the law has provided a place where these kind of children can be kept and get rehabilitated. For them to become better persons and for the trauma to be addressed by experts.
“So, this law has made all these provisions, because there are currently six institutions where the law has provided to keep these children. These institutions are managed or supervised by the government. The law also provided opportunity for the NGOs to take care of children but it shall be under the supervision of government with the approval of the ministry of women affairs or the ministry managing children’s affairs, with constant monitoring because it’s not just about approving but from time to time the government will pay unscheduled visit to see and assess the level of compliance with protection and safety of children in such institutions.
“In fact, even after an approval is given and the institution is running and keeping children, protecting children and giving all that is needed for children. If that institution or NGO fails in its responsibilities, the law has authorised the Commissioner to withdraw the license or certificate of such institution.” Dr. Alkali said.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
