Nguyen speaking at the hearing in Maiduguri
The United Nations’ Children Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Phuong T. Nguyen, has lauded the commitment shown by stakeholders in Borno to actualized the passage of the state draft Child Right Act.
Nguyen made the commendation on Wednesday in her remarks at the public hearing of the draft Borno State Child Rights Domestication Act (CRA), organized by the State House of Assembly.
Nguyen said that UNICEF and other partners remain committed in ensuring that enablers were provided for the Act to be passed into law.
“While the domestication of the CRA is an important milestone, much more works lies ahead to implement the Borno State Child Rights Bill.
“UNICEF and all other development partners are committed to ensure that enablers are available for this Act tobe enacted into law, thus providing the legal framework binding all duty bearers to its article.
“UNICEF will also assist the Borno Government to develop a costed inter-ministerial CRA Plan of Action that will make the law a living and active document allowing rights of holders to be aware of thier rights, while holding all duty bearers accountable in making Borno a better place for children, ” Nguyen said.
She noted that since the enactment of the Act by Nigeria in 2003 only 27 out of 36 states implemented it, while nine states comprising Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa and Zamfara had yet to adopt and domesticate the Act.
“Borno has achieved a huge milestone with this public hearing.
“By reaching this stage, the state government and honourable lawmakers of Borno State House of Assembly have shown commitment and dedication to secure the rights and protection of its children, ” Nguyen said.
