November 21, (THEWILL) – The Borno State Children’s Parliament has urged the Borno State Government to ensure the child rights law is fully implemented across the 27 council areas of the state.
This year Children’s Day was organised and supported by UNICEF in collaboration with the Borno state government, and implemented by The Unique Care Support Foundation (CASFOD).
Speaking on the floor of the Borno State House of Assembly, Rt Speaker, Miss Fatima Chiroma Zanna, a 15-year old, said after several deliberations by the members, the Parliament has resolved to urge the state government to set up a committee on Child rights law in all the LGAs for full implementation.
“Our call to action is as follows: we recognise the importance of child rights and promoting international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide. We therefore call on the Executive Governor Babagana Zulum to ensure child rights law is fully implemented in Borno state to protect the rights of the children”, she urged.
Speaking during the event, the UNICEF Chief of the Maiduguri Field Office, Dr Gerida Birukila, represented by UNICEF Nutrition Manager, Joseph Senesie, encouraged the children to think creatively to solve problems affecting vulnerable children and assured them of UNICEF’s continued support.
Dr Birukila also challenged the children to document their ideas on how to solve the challenges around them, noting that ‘the sky is your starting point’ and that ‘everything is possible.
“I want to emphasise that while progress has been made to actualize the rights of children, there is still room for improvement.
“As we speak, thousands of children displaced by the flood are out of school. UNICEF is, in the interim, providing radio learning classes for over 10,000 children displaced by flood in IDP camps in Gubio and Dikwa.”
She, however, said the recent flooding event has further posed severe hardships and posed great problems to the children.
CASFOD Executive Director, Mr Benjamin John, expressed gratitude to the state assembly, stakeholders, and partners for their support.
He emphasised the parliament’s role in advocating for the full implementation of the Child Protection Law in Borno State is commendable.
Motions were moved and adopted, particularly focusing on child protection.
Also, representing Save the Children, Waziri Mohammed, called on UNICEF and its partner to support all parliamentarians, policymakers, and stakeholders to work towards the full implementation of the child protection law, noting that SCI remains deeply committed to supporting the process.
“Passing the law is the first step, its impact will only be felt when it is effectively enforced. I urge all of us to ensure that adequate resources, awareness campaigns, and structures are put in place to bring this law to life.
“Our children deserve nothing less than the full realisation of their rights to protection, education, and participation”, Wazirin added.
According to him, “We believe that every child has the right to be protected from harm, to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives, and to access opportunities that allow them to reach their full potential”, he said.
