VAPP Coalition lauds Assembly over passage, urges speedy assent by Gombe Gov
A Group under the aegis of Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Coalition on Wednesday lauded the 24-member Gombe State Assembly, over the passage of the bill.
The VAPP which was passed by the Gombe house of assembly on Tuesday seeks to prohibit all forms of violence against persons in private and public life.
Our Correspondent reports that the newly passed law provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders, and Gombe state is the last state in North-East Sub-Region to adopt the law.
Most importantly, the VAPP Act prohibits all forms of violence against women and girls in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the VAPP Act Coalition, Alhassan Yahya and Amina Poloma, which was made available to Periscope Nigeria, the group said the development would encourage other states to domesticate the law so as to end violence against women and girls.
The Coalition’s statement partly read, “VAPP Coalition also wishes to commend and congratulate the Gombe state Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, State House of Assembly for passing this landmark bill that will contribute to ensuring that violence against women and girls in Gombe state is eliminated.
“We also commend the efforts of civil society organisations, community-based organizations, individuals, and other groups that have pushed for the passage of the VAPP Act.”
While urging for speedy assent, the Coalition expressed optimism that the bill would urgently become law in the state.
“However it’s our hope and prayers His Excellency the Governor of Gombe State will haste in Assenting the law without delay. We want to also give credit to IPAS, EVA and other local CSOs for this milestone,” the Coalition added.
While presenting his report, on the floor of the House, Chairman Committee on Judiciary Musa Buba, said the bill for Violence Against Persons Prohibition which was referred to the committee in 2021, revealing that it received the needed scrutiny.
According to Buba, “the committee sort the inputs of various stakeholders including traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, organised unions, State Ministry of Justice, judicial service Commission among other relevant organisations.”
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