UNICEF commends the Governor of Jigawa State for signing the Child Protection Bill into Law

The United Nations Children’s Fund on Thursday commended the Governor of Jigawa State, Muhammed Abubakar, for signing the Child Protection Bill into Law in the state.

The bill was signed by Abubakar on December 22, 2021, 18 years after the Federal Government of Nigeria enacted the Child Rights Act 2003 and urged state governments to domesticate the Act into State law.

“The bill has been passed at a critical time when there is a rise in sexual abuse of children, child labour and child trafficking – all of which make children unsafe and subject them to trauma that can have a lifelong impact,” said the Attorney General of Jigawa State, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu.

In a statement titled, ‘UNICEF lauds Jigawa State over signing of Child Protection Bill into law’, the agency described the new law in Jigawa as “a great achievement for children in Jigawa.”

“This is a great achievement for children in Jigawa and we congratulate the Governor of Jigawa for signing into law the Child Protection Bill,” said UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Rushnan Murtaza.

Murtaza added, ““I also want to encourage the different arms of government in Jigawa and other states with child rights legislation to demonstrate their commitment to full implementation by taking ownership of the issue and ensuring children are safe and protected across the state.

“The domestication of the Child Protection Bill in Jigawa State will help safeguard the rights of children, including ensuring parents, caregivers and authorities across the spectrum fulfil their obligation to protect children, and prioritize access to health and education – especially for the girl-child – amongst several other demands that will enable children to grow and thrive on an equal footing.”

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