BCAI Engages Kano Assembly on Child Protection Bill

BCAI Engages Kano Assembly on Child Protection Bill

AREWA AGENDA – Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI) has led a coalition of Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, to the Kano State House of Assembly to discuss the Child Protection Bill with honorable members of the house.

The meeting which held yesterday had the presence of Hon. Kabiru Hassan Dashi, House Majority Leader and Member representing Kiru Constituency; Hon. Abdullahi Nuhu Achika, Member representing Wudil Constituency; Hon. Musa Ali Kachako, Member representing Takai Constituency; Hon. Salisu Ibrahim Mohammed, Member representing Doguwa Constituency; Hon. Dahiru Magaji Zarewa, Member representing Rogo Constituency and Mal. Nasiru Magaji, Desk Officer among other members of the house including Development Partners/CSOs and Secretary Appropriation Committee.

The Executive Director of BCAI, Sani Muhammad who while introducing the Child Protection Bill to the house described it as a robust bill that was passed 17 years ago by the Federal Government, but yet to be domesticated by the Kano state government. He further stated the importance of the bill in combating the current societal ills of child sexual and gender-based violence of all kinds including rape, forced marriage, street begging, out of school children as well as child slavery and trafficking which has become a trend in Kano where children are stolen to other states, and how the bill will serve as a protection for children against these ills if passed into law, since there are currently no strong laws to safeguard the rights of children in Kano as well as their interests.

Sani Muhammad further added that the Bill is not just there to protect children, but will also strengthen many other government policies such as social protection policy, the new Kano state education policy on compulsory education, and children’s health and well-being.

Mr. Muhammad noted that the Kano State House of Assembly is a very significant one which serves as a model to other northern state assemblies, and for that reason, if the house prioritizes the passage of the bill into law, it will go a long way in encouraging other state assemblies that are yet to domesticate the Child Rights Acts to emulate Kano for the betterment of the lives of children everywhere in Nigeria.

Mr. Muhammad added that, the aim of the coalition’s advocacy visit is to identify representatives that will be championing the Child Protection Bill in the House when the bill is finally transmitted to the house from the Ministries of Justice and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and as well, get their support throughout the process in order to make it a success.

In response, the House majority leader expressed happiness and appreciation for getting them involved in this important conversation and promises the passage of the bill once it gets to their chamber. Hon. Musa Ali Kachako added that the Child Rights Act has seen the light of the day in Nigeria as a context, and for that reason, it is important that it gets replicated in Kano as a state especially as it addresses the general welfare and health care of the Kano children. He noted that whatever is accepted by Kano will most likely be accepted by the nation, as Kano is key and critical to Nigeria’s health sector and population; adding that the issue of child protection in Kano is an issue of concern not just to them as legislators but to all well-meaning Kano citizens. In his words, “BCAI has brought an important issue to the house which will be keenly deliberated and will see the light of the day once it arrives the house In Shaa Allah”.

The last speaker, Hon. Magaji Dahiru Zarewa also promises to support the movement at every level as he expresses anger and disappointment at the level at which child sexual molestation and other forms of abuse is rampant in the state stating a specific case where a child sexual predator, sexually exploited two girls in a Kano viral video without any quality legal action taken against the sex offender and many more of his likes who always get away with such offences since there are no laws to protect the Kano Child.

The Majority Leader further pleads for the support of BCAI in educating the House on the Bill for better understanding of every representative that will be championing the cause and further reiterated their interest in supporting to get the Bill passed once it gets transmitted to the house and every other needed work to get it passed into law is done.

The coalition CSOs in attendance were Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative represented by the Executive Secretary, Hajiya Amina Hanga; Mufarka Youth Development Initiative represented by the Executive Director, Barrister Nura Ahmad Muhammad; International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kano Branch represented by the Treasurer, Barrister Salma Ahmad Danbappah and Zainab Nasir Ahmad, the President of Girl Child Initiative for Community Engagement.

Arewa Agenda is a Publication of young writers from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives.