Gombe to end child marriage, domesticate child rights act
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe State Government has reiterated commitment towards ending child marriage and domesticating child rights act in the state.
Commissioner for Women Affairs, Naomi Awak, made this disclosure on Thursday, at the Children’s day party organised by Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation to celebrate Gombe children.
She revealed that the child rights bill sponsored by the governor had scaled first reading in the state house of Assembly, noting that it connotes progress.
Awak said the wife of the governor had also provided enabling templates to ensure the protection of children in the state.
Recall that Gombe State, according to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), ranks amongst 15 states in the country yet to domesticate the child rights act.
She said, “Under the leadership of His Excellency, Alh. Inuwa Yahaya, we have the interest of the children of Gombe State, due to the interest he has at heart he made sure all children that are out of school are sent back through Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA). As well as provision of good roads, hospitals, free registration for NECO and WAEC.
“I want to give you the assurance that the child rights bill is in progress. His Excellency Alh. Inuwa Yahaya has sponsored the bill in the state house of Assembly and in the shortest possible time, you will hear that the child right act has been domesticated.
“Also, her Excellency, hajiya Asma’au Yahaya, is also on her toes to ensure that every child in Gombe acquires the best of education and early marriage comes to an end and by the grace of God all the children of Gombe State will partake of the good governance.”
While appealing for support for the administration, Awak urged the children to intensify prayers for the success of government.
“I want to use this opportunity to urge children to continue to pray for the governor for his leadership to succeed, in the next 4 years to come.
“I wish to use this opportunity to appreciate Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation they are doing wonderful in Gombe State, just now the coordinator rushed from Dukku, this event happening here is by their effort, the state government is proud of you,” Commissioner added.
Also speaking, Speaker Children’s Parliament, Umar Faruq Abdullahi, lauded the efforts of government in ensuring the wellbeing of Gombe children.
Abdullahi added that Covid-19 took a toll on children as a number of children of school age dropped out of school, adding that many could not continue due to current realities.
On his part, Programme Manager of Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation Sylvester Yibis, in his welcome address highlighted the importance of children’s day commemoration, adding that every child deserved to be celebrated.
He also urged the state government to consider an expedited passage of child rights act, noting that it would help to protect all children in the state.
Highlight of the occasion was the cutting of cake, cultural displays, presentation of gifts, drama and poem centred on raising awareness on Covid-19 preventive measures by invited schools.
