UNICEF hails Sokoto over child protection law, asks other states to follow suit

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended Sokoto for signing the child protection bill into law.

Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto governor, had on Monday signed the bill into law 18 years after its passage.

In a statement on Tuesday, Peter Hawkins, UNICEF representative in Nigeria, said the development is a “major step forward for children’s rights in Nigeria” and urged other states to follow suit.

According to him, children in Sokoto experience different challenges ranging from inadequate primary healthcare, lack of access to education, malnutrition and violence.

He spoke on the need to protect the girl child as they are more prone to experiencing violence because of their gender.

“UNICEF today welcomed the signing into law of the Sokoto State Child Protection Bill, saying it was a “major step forward for children’s rights in Nigeria,” he said.

“We congratulate the governor of Sokoto and, most importantly, the children of Sokoto for the entering into law of the Child Protection Bill.

“This is a major step forward for children’s rights across the State and sets an example for the states remaining that have not yet domesticated the Child Rights Act 2003 to do so as quickly as possible.

“It also sends a clear signal that child rights measures must be implemented across Sokoto and in all States to ensure the rights and well-being of all children, whomever and wherever they may be.

“As we commemorate this week of the International day for the elimination of violence against women, we must not forget our girl children – many of whom face particular rights violations because of their gender.

“Child rights protection legislation – like that signed into law in Sokoto yesterday – puts in place measures that, if implemented, can ensure important and much-needed protection for girls, so that they can grow and thrive on an equal footing.”