7 hours Ago By Umar Sani
Advocates of the Bauchi State Child Protection Law have challenged the media to champion the advocacy for the implementation of the law in the state. The challenge is contained in a communique issued by the stakeholders on Wednesday at the end of the stakeholders’ roundtable status of Child Protection Law in Bauchi organised by the Young Leaders Network, YNL. Presenting the communique on behalf of the participants, a student of Government Girls College, Bauchi, Christina Ajang explained the purpose of the stakeholders’ roundtable was to assess the understanding and implementation of the law, identify challenges hindering its enforcement, and propose actionable recommendations to improve child protection mechanisms.
She explained that “Children in Nigeria have faced challenges related to legal protection, with safeguards largely dependent on the status of their parents. “This privilege-based system left many vulnerable children exposed to various forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. “Recognising this, the Bauchi State Child Protection Law 2023 was enacted to provide a comprehensive legal framework ensuring the rights, welfare, and well-being of children in the state.
” Ayang emphasised, “The media should promote investigative journalism on child rights violations and ensure continuous public engagement. They should also dedicate special programs to discuss child protection laws, partner with CSOs to conduct media sensitisation workshops on ethical reporting of child abuse cases and use digital platforms and social media to disseminate information on child protection rights and legal processes.” According to her, since its enactment in 2023, very little has been done regarding raising awareness on the law and its implementation.
She observed that several challenges hinder the law’s full implementation, including harmful cultural norms such as child marriage. She added that “bureaucratic delays, weak evidence collection, slow investigations, and inadequate legal advisory support create significant enforcement gaps.” Arewa PUNCH reports that no fewer of the stakeholders believe that the lack of implementation of the law has caused survivors of abuse to lack access to proper legal, emotional, and psychosocial support services.
Ayang maintained, “The absence of fully established child protection committees at the state and local government levels has resulted in limited awareness and intervention mechanisms. “While awareness of the law is growing, widespread understanding and enforcement remain inadequate. “Some legal provisions require clearer interpretation for practical implementation.
Stakeholder collaboration, particularly with traditional and religious leaders, is crucial to advancing child protection efforts. Law enforcement agencies require capacity-building, improved reporting mechanisms, and sufficient resources to respond effectively to child protection violations,” she stressed. Related News NGO advocates sex education in Bauchi schools, retraining of teachers Senator offers 401 Bauchi students scholarship Bauchi takes steps to combat flooding ahead of rainy season The stakeholders recommended that the Bauchi State Government increase funding for child protection initiatives and ensure timely disbursement of allocated resources.
She insisted, “The Governor should direct the Commissioner, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination to prioritise child protection in the 2025 budget. “The Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development should conduct quarterly assessments to ensure funds are appropriately utilised. “Establishment of the State and Local Government Child Protection Committees within 60 days to coordinate child protection interventions,” she added.
On her part, while responding to questions from Arewa PUNCH at the sideline of the stakeholders roundtable a Chief Magistrate who served as the reviewer of the law, Amina Garuba noted that the rights of children in the remand homes must also be protected. She urged the National Youth Service Scheme to deploy corps members to remand homes in order to bridge the manpower gap. Magistrate Garuba pointed out that “The remand home which was et aside as a rehabilitation centre for children, has not much rehabilitation happening.
“There are numerous literacy activities going on there. “To make it easier since we don’t have enough staff to be able to provide the needed guidance, I think it will be nice if the Ministry of Education can work together with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to send youth corps members there to teach the children.” The legal practitioner, who is also the founder of the Ikra Foundation for Women and Youth Development, also suggested that artisans should be deployed to remand homes to provide vocational skill training to the children.
She explained that “The provisions of the child protection law, 2023 section,14 states that ‘all children must have compulsory universal basic education which comprises six years of primary school, and three years junior secondary school. “The children in remand homes are being deprived of that, which means we are not doing well. So, if we can have a synergy to ensure that corps members are utilised by posting three four, five posted to teach mathematics and other basic core subjects so that the children will be learning.
” Garba further expressed worries that children in remand homes currently only eat and sleep. She disclosed that remand homes in Bauchi State are not enough to accommodate the current number of inmates, just as the establishment needs to be better equipped with manpower and improved facilities..
