By ASHENEWSONLINE reporter
The Kebbi State House of Assembly on Tuesday conducted public hearing on child rights as well as a bill to eliminate violence against persons, VAPP.
The public hearing, which discussed the two bills, was introduced by the Chairman, House Committee on Justice and Judiciary, Aminu Mohammed Bunza.
Dignified stakeholders that graced the event included wife of Kebbi governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, represented by the wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Hajiya Hurraira Babale Umar; Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammed Iliyasu Bashar, represented by the Wazirin Gwandu, Abdullahi Umar; Alhaji Muhammad Dan Malam, former Clerk to the House and District Head of Yeldu, who represented the Emir of Argungu; Dr. Usman Damana, Leader of Kebbi State Council of Ulamas delegation; Dr. Alkali, Consultant for the Civil Society Organizations, UNICEF officials, Medicaid officials and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Samaila Abdulmuminu Kamba, who later joined the meeting.
Bunza emphasized on the importance of the public hearing, which was an opportunity for stakeholders to make their contribution to the sensitive bills, especially with regard to their impact on religion, culture and tradition of the people of Kebbi State.
Dr. Bagudu commended both the state Governor and the House of Assembly for the bills and prayed that efforts will climaxed at the signing of the two bills into law.
She advocated for stiffer punishment for rape offenders in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of the children and women in Kebbi state in particular and Nigeria in general.
According to Bagudu, there was need to give equal attention to the VAPP bill so that wider perspectives could be incorporated/considered by stakeholders.
She encouraged the House to pursue the process to its logical conclusion and make history of not only giving Kebbi the protection laws, but acceptable and enforceable.
Representing the traditional institution in the state, The Emir of Gwandu applauded the general efforts efforts being put in place, adding that the institution was part of the works that produced the position of both CSOs and Ulamas.
Barrister Aminu Kalgo, who made the presentation on behalf of the Council of Ulama posited that ‘The definition of rape shall be expanded to include all forms of penetrations into sexual organs.
Responding to Dr Bagudu’s position on VAPP bill, the council requested for time extension to review the bill as they have not done so and the extension was granted.
Dr Alkali, who made the Technical Presentation on behalf of Civil Society Oganisations recommended the change the title of the bill from Child Rights to Child Protection.
This, he said, was because about 90 per cent of the presentations sought to protect the child, while the setback suffered in the past efforts at domesticating the act hinged on perceptions about child rights, inclining it to religion and culture.
The group advocated that marriage issue should be expunged from it since the bill is about the child, so that age of child can be conveniently defined at 18.
Though UNICEF did not present any written document, its representative, Mr Emmanuel appreciated the House and commended all the stakeholders in the process
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), represented by Mallam Nasir Karofi, applauded the House for giving stakeholders an opportunity to discuss the bill and own it.
He also supported Dr Bagudu’s position that the VAPP bill should receive similar attention, adding that while the first bill seeks to protect the child, the VAPP bill seeks to protect the mother.
The Agency noted that, VAPP bill contained clauses about rape, spouse battery, financial and economic dependence as well as spouse abandonment etc. These are issues that today constitute abuses for women, especially both as wives and single mothers and should be addressed properly.
