The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Government and citizens of Kano State for the recent enactment of the Child Protection Law, signed into law by former Gov. Umar Ganduje.
This is contained in a statement issued by UNICEF Communications Specialist, Mr Samuel Kaalu, and made available newsmen in Kano on Thursday.
It explained that the Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr Rahama Farah, described the Kano State Child Protection Law as a remarkable achievement that would benefit the children and people of the state.
He stressed that the law would establish a legal framework that would ensure the protection of children’s rights within the state.
Farah however called for allocation of necessary resources and establish mechanisms for its effective implementation.
“We urge the new administration in Kano State to take this vital step and provide adequate resources to ensure the comprehensive enforcement of the law,” he said.
He noted that the state has now joined other states that have successfully incorporated the Nigeria Child Rights Act, originally enacted by the National Assembly in 2003, into their legal frameworks.
Farah explained that the Act was derived from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), of which Nigeria is a signatory, where extensive consultations were made with key stakeholders, including faith-based and community leaders, during the development of the bill.
“This collaborative effort ensured that the law reflects the values and aspirations of the people of Kano,” he stated.
The Bill was assented into law on May 24, by Ganduje.