Dissolution of SARS: Activist suggests audit of complaints

By Friday Idachaba

A Human Rights Activist, Mr Idris Miliki, has called on Inspector-General of Police, Mr Adamu Mohammed, to undertake a general audit of complaints that led to the agitation for dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Miliki, who is also the Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Lokoja.

He said that audit of complaints arising from alleged misdemeanor of the SARS operatives across the country would enable the Nigeria Police to appraise the situation properly.

The activist also urged the inspector-general to extend the current reorganisation to all sectors and units of the Nigerian police Force, adding, We call for a nationwide roll out of community policing with adequate citizens participation .

According to him, the 1999 Nigeria Constitution as Amended, provides for the establishment of the Nigerian Police Force, under section 214.

It provides that there shall be a Nigerian Police Force, and subject to the provisions of the constitution, no other police force shall be established for the country.

It is on this note that we commend the leadership of the Nigerian police Force for listening to the yearnings and voices of reason and wisdom of the people in the dissolution of SARS.

We urge the inspector-gerenal to take a second look at the reports of the Human Rights training that took place in 2016, which was in all the zones across the country.

We call for the General Audit of the complaints that led the dissolution of SARS, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

#ENDSARS protesters

By Chijioke Okoronkwo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

On Oct. 8, a wave of protests against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force erupted in many cities across the country.

The protests were triggered by a video trending online showing a young man allegedly shot by SARS operatives at Ughelli, Delta; an allegation the police denied.

The predominantly young remonstrators with the hastag #ENDSARS sought the dissolution of the unit and end to police brutality.

By most accounts, the protests seemed to have been accentuated by resentments built up by previous and recent alleged incidents of extra-judicial killings, harassment and extortion on citizens by SARS operatives.

Worthy of note, before the situation snowballed into street protests, the Federal Government had waded in with a view to finding a lasting and assuaging solution.

On Oct. 4, at the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met with the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mohammed Adamu, at his residence over concerns on the activities of SARS.

Adamu was prompted to ban SARS, other tactical squads from undertaking routine patrols as well as stop and search duties.

The vice president said he was concerned andangry that young men and women, who were arrested, were in some cases, maimed or killed by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said that the president wasdispleased about reports on activities of SARS and resolved to ensure reforms.

Such violations are completely unacceptable because these are individuals who are meant to protect Nigerians.

The arrests, maiming or killings of young people or anyone at all, is completely wrong.

It is unlawful and illegal and anyone involved in this act ought to be investigated and prosecuted.

Today, I had a meeting with the I-G and we reviewed several of these issues.

The president is very concerned about it; he wants to see a reform.

Again, on Oct. 10, Osinbajo met with the 1-G, Director-General, Department of State Services(DSS), Yusuf Bichi and Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, to determine the next steps toward addressing concerns of Nigerians on the excesses of SARS.

The vice president and the I-G afterward briefed Buhari who gave further directives to the I-G on the matter.

Buhari said he was being briefed regularly on the reform efforts aimed at ending police brutality and unethical conduct, and ensure that the police are fully accountable to the people.

The president urged all citizens to show more understanding and patience as government would continue to do its best in protecting lives and property of Nigerians.

I met again with the I-G tonight; our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt.

I am being briefed regularly on the reform efforts ongoing to end police brutality and unethical conduct, and ensure that the police are fully accountable to the people.

The I-G already has my firm instructions to conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians regarding these excesses, and ensure erring personnel are brought to justice.

I appeal for patience and calm; even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known.

On Oct. 11, as the protests raged and neared crescendo, Nigerians got pacifying news from the I-G; he announced the dissolution of SARS across police commands in the country.

Adamu said that the dissolution was in response to the yearnings of Nigerians.

He said that by the disbandment, all officers and men of the defunct SARS would be redeployed.

The I-G said that the force was mindful of the need to combat armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country which was the core mandate of the erstwhile squad.

Adamu said that a new policing arrangement to address anticipated policing gaps by the dissolution of SARS had evolved and would be announced in due course.

As part of measures to prevent a recurrence of events that gave rise to the dissolution of SARS, a Citizens and Strategic Stakeholders Forum is being formed.

He said the forum would regularly interface with police leadership at all levels and advise on police activities as they affect the general public.

In addition, the force is constituting an Investigation Team which shall include civil society organisations and human rights bodies to work with the police in investigating alleged cases of human rights violations, Adamu said.

The inspector-general commended Nigerians, who genuinely expressed their concerns for a better policing orientation in an organised, patriotic and civil manner.

The I-G pledged the commitment of the force to bequeath to the country, a Police Force and system that would be accountable and professional in service delivery.

The dissolution of the unit has elicited reactions from the president, vice president, governors and other notable Nigerians even as protests remained active in some areas.

Buhari said that disbanding of SARS was the first step to extensive police reforms by his administration

He also directed that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts be brought to justice.

I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases extra-judicial killings and wrongful conduct of the men of the Nigerian Police Force.

The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.

We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.

We deeply regret the loss of life of the young man in Oyo State during the recent demonstrations.

I have directed that the circumstances of his death should be thoroughly investigated.

Meanwhile, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of men and women of the police force are hardworking and diligent in performing their duties.

The few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force, the president said.

Osinbajo, on his part, said that there was a clear message of governments commitment to ensuring reforms.

He said that those who had committed wrongful acts would be duly investigated and prosecuted.

And that whatever replaces SARS is something that is acceptable, and comply with all tenets of the rule of law.

I think these are deep issues that we are all concerned about; I dont think one person is more concerned than others.

I have also been involved in many cases of many young people trying to resolve these kinds of conflicts that have been reported.

I think it is a good moment for the police force and for all of us to try and reform the police; we are all committed to it, he said.

In his reaction, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta described the dissolution of SARS as a welcome development.

Sharing similar sentiments, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the dissolution of SARS by the I-G was a victory for Nigerian youths.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu have all backed the dissolution of SARS.

More so, the Voice of Nigeria Youths (VONY), a youth group, applauded Buhari, Osinbajo and the I-G on the dissolution of SARS.

The groups founder, Temilade Okesanjo,congratulated Nigerian youths for lending their voices online and offline to the need to #ENDSARS and reform the Nigerian Police Force agitation.

Nonetheless, some protesters, while appreciating governments responsiveness, say more pragmatic steps were needed to soothe their anger.

They demand immediate release of all arrested protesters; justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families; setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct within 10 days.

Also, the protesters demand that in line with the new police act, psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS, should be carried out before redeployment.

They also demanded higher pay for police officer, and equipping the police adequately to boost the protection of lives and property of citizens.

Perceptive observers say that the government has been reasonably responsive in handling the issue.

They hold that investigating and bringing to book all ex-SARS operatives involved in extrajudicial killings and other human rights abuses will go a long way in smothering the flames in the streets. (NANFeatures)

Source: NAN News

Stakeholders on police reform with IGP Mohammed Adamu and DBanj, standing behind

By Emmanuel Afonne

Popular Nigerian artiste Mr Oladapo Oyebanjo, aka DBanj, has advocated for a total overhaul of the countrys policing structure to reflect a people oriented system.

DBanj made the call in a statement he issued on Tuesday after a stakeholders meeting held with the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, against the backdrop of widespread protest against police brutality.

He said the new Nigeria police should have regards for peoples rights, due process and constitutional law as contained in the five-point demand of protestors.

The protesters had demanded an order by the Inspector-General of Police to all State Commands to halt the use of force against protesters; Unconditional release of arrested protesters and citizens.

They also demanded open communication and outreach to citizens to establish trust and confidence as well as a roadmap for the implementation of the White Paper of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the SARS.

DBand noted that the nationwide protest against police brutality stemmed from the general distrust held by the public against the Police from years of abuse, disregards for rights and due process.

He urged the Federal Government to follow through the demands of the protestors with intent and purpose as to restore public faith in the police as agents of civil order.

The musician expressed faith that the leadership of the police would follow through with calls for public reform, and commended the Inspector-General of Police for embracing dialogue and consultation to ensure a reformed Police.

He commended the resilience of the youths who led a nationwide protest for the dissolution of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS).

The peaceful protest is indeed a constitutional right, and as the young public continues to press home the vagaries of its demand, the Police must desist from the use of force to quell the protesters, he said.

DBanj regretted the avoidable deaths that have been recorded before and during the protest and vowed that those deaths would not be in vain as culpable officers should be identified and prosecuted. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Free Trade Zone

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has urged the Federal Government and Private Sector to ensure that the Free Trade Zone scheme is strengthened through improved legal framework and global best practices.

Alhaji Adamu Fanda, newly-appointed Chairman of NEPZA Board, made the call during his first official visit to the authoritys headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.

Fanda, in a statement by Mr Martins Odeh Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, said for Nigeria to catch up on genuine economic growth and industrialisation, the scheme
must be strengthened through sustained investments.

The chairman saidthat a well implemented Free Trade Zone (FTZ) regime had proven to be a catalyst for manufacturing and economic growth in several parts of the world.

He said that the country must ramp up its empowerment of NEPZA through urgent legal reforms.

Fanda said it must also do so through compliance by all government agencies to the provision of the authoritys Act that allowed operations in zones to be tax free.

China, Dubai, Japan and South Korea are great examples of how special economic zones can be used to increase manufacturing capacity and deepen foreign exchange earnings.

African countries like South Africa, Egypt, Kenya and our neighbour, Ghana, are deploying the model to great advantage.

Nigeria cannot be an exception. FTZs must work to fulfil President Muhammadu Buharis agenda for an industrialised Nigeria, Fanda said.

He pledged to support the management of the authority with due process and accountability to realise its mandate, and promised extensive advocacy in support of the FTZs.

The chairman said that the management would find in the board an ever-willing body devoted to smooth and open process to drive expansion of free zones for the development of Nigeria.

On his part, NEPZA Managing Director, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, described Fandas appointment as timely and a commendable decision in the best interest of the authority and the country.

Adesugba described the chairman as an experienced private and public sector figure.

He noted that several critical decisions and issues could now be addressed to advance ongoing reforms of the agency.

We thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Industry,
Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, for appointing a seasoned figure as our Board
Chairman.

Going by his antecedent and records, we all share the vision of the President for a new Nigeria with strong industrial sector, creating jobs and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

We are even more elated that our chairman is not just a product of the private sector, but has strong links and contacts as a former member of the legislature.

As we launch our legislative agenda for the amendment of NEPZA Act to address loopholes in the authoritys legal framework and update it in line with current realities, we will be relying heavily on the chairmans goodwill to fast track the process, Adesugba said.

The managing director stated thatthe paramount goal was to ensure the realisation of the authoritys mandate.

He said that the board was avital organ without which the management would struggle to achieve its core goals and objectives. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Road Construction

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that by adopting Public Private Partnerships (PPP) cost-effective measures, the Federal Government is delivering 19 road projects across the six geo-political zones in the country totaling 780.15km.

Osinbajos spokesmans Laolu Akande, in a statement, said the Vice President spoke at a webinar on Public-Private Partnerships on Tuesday.

The webinar was organised by the Law firm of Yusuf Ali and Co in collaboration with the Business Law Department of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.

Osinbajo listed some of the road projects being undertaken by private companies and advancing to completion.

The reconstruction of Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota Road in Lagos State34 km by Dangote Industries Limited.

The reconstruction of Obajana-Kabba Road in Kogi State43km by Dangote Industries Limited.

The construction of Bodo-Bonny Road and Bridges across Opobo Channel in Rivers State38km by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited.

Osinbajo said that in 2017, the Federal Government introduced the Road Trust Fund (RTF).

He said that the fund was a tax credit scheme to incentivise private sector participation in the development of federal road infrastructure.

The relief is enjoyed by a deduction of 50 per cent of the amount spent on the project from the income tax that would have been payable by the company.

The Vice President also referred to the Executive Order No. 007 of 2019, the Companies Income Tax (Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme).

The objective of the Scheme is to accelerate public road infrastructure development by incentivising private sector entities to construct and refurbish eligible roads across the country in exchange for tax credits, which could then be applied against company income tax payable.

19 roads have been approved so far by this administration under the Scheme, totaling, 780.15 km.

These roads, in eleven (11) States across the six geo-political zones, are being executed by six private sector players in the manufacturing and construction industries.

He emphasised the importance of PPPs in funding critical infrastructure projects.

First, public revenue both for States and the Federal government have fallen precipitously in the wake of the disruptions of the COVID 19 pandemic.

For the Federal Government, barely 30 per cent of the budget is available for capital expenditure, besides a national infrastructure deficit. So, clearly there is a need to bring in the considerably larger size of private capital to participate in public infrastructure projects.

Dangotes Lekki project comprising a refinery, fertilizer factory, and a subsea pipeline is estimated to cost 15 billion dollarsabout N6 trillion almost half of the entire federal budget of N13 trillion, he said.

He added that access to capital from international commercial lenders was cheaper for private companies with a good reputation.

Osinbajo said that in thinking through the PPP framework, stakeholders must factor some of its challenges; especially in PPPs where the private partners compensation was from user-based payments such as tolls on roads or fees in an airport concession.

Citing an example with the Lekki-Epe road concessioning, the Vice President said it was one of the best models.

He said that a number of foreign banks and infrastructure companies were involved in it. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sanwo-Olu, presenting Lagos protesters letter to Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Tuesday met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, where he presented a letter written by some EndSARS protesters to the president.

Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the governor disclosed that the president assured the youths that their letter was already receiving the needed attention.

He said Lagos State Government had already started implementing two of the demands of the protesters as some arrested persons were already being released.

The governor said: I just had a brief meeting with Mr President. The essence of the meeting is to pass on the clarion call of all our youths that are protesting in different parts of the country on the ENDSARS NOW.

Mr President graciously accepted the letter that was given to me by the youths to personally deliver to him. He graciously received the letter and we went through it very, very briefly.

I explained to him all the things that we are doing. Earlier today, I also met with the IGP, who also shared the same sentiments regarding the various well thought demands by youths.

He has also assured me that later today that they will be making further pronouncements.Part of the take away for me is that all the governors are on the same page, we are having a governors forum meeting tomorrow.

The IG will be briefing us at that meeting and further clear directives and decisions will be taken by all the governors.

I can tell you and all our youths out there that Mr President has listened, your letter is documented, it has received attention and he has assured me that all of the things that you have said there he will see how he will begin to implement them almost immediately.

The governor stated that Lagos State Government had pushed ahead to implement parts of the demands put forward by the aggrieved youths.

And in partnership with the youth, we understand and we feel for them. They have spoken and spoken very well and we heard loud and clear, nationally and internationally.

So, I believe it has been a just cause, its a cause that is worth fighting for. We have made them realize that we have listened to them as their leaders and have taken up the pieces of all the lessons.

We have all learnt from it and we believe that not only will we see a better police reform, a better relationship between the government and the ones that are governed but we will begin to see a better relationship at all spheres of government going forward, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

JAMB headquarters in Abuja

By Nathan Nwakamma

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has shut down seven examination centres in Bayelsa over alleged violation of rules and regulations guiding the examinations.

JAMB coordinator in the state, Abdusalam Mohammed, announced the development on Tuesday in Yenagoa when he paid a courtesy call on the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state is now left with only four centres to cater for its 24,000 candidates.

Mohammed explained that some of the centres were de-listed for duplicating the Virtual Private Network (VPN) of their router, a development that compromised the data security of JAMB.

He said that others were shut down for charging outrageous sums during registration.

When the registration exercise commenced, we sent out a monitoring team who found that candidates were charged N5,000 for a service that should ordinarily cost N2,500, Mohammed said.

On JAMBs readiness to conduct examination in the COVID-19 era, Mohammed said that the body was training its staff during the lockdown.

We also sensitised candidates and provided personal prevention equipment.

In order to reduce the crowd at our office during registration, we set out specific days that candidates could visit us. The intention was to reduce body contact between staff and candidates.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, we used to ask candidates to thumb-print documents, but that has been stopped so as to curtail the spread of the virus.

We have replaced that with a One-Time Password (OTP), which is sent to the candidate. The OTP will verify the candidate and confirm if he or she is the original owner of that particular application.

In the past, it was difficult to have 20,000 candidates for JAMB, but this year, the number has skyrocketed to 24,000 candidates, meaning that there is an improvement in the enrollment of students in Bayelsa.

Unfortunately, awareness of our activities is low in Bayelsa. That is why we have come to visit you, Mohammed explained.

Responding, the Chairman of NUJ, Mr Samuel Numonengi, frowned at the activities of the operators of the examination centres de-listed, saying that their actions were detrimental to progress in the state.

We cannot stand people jeopardising the future of our children in Bayelsa.

I want to join you to condemn their actions and encourage parents and candidates to stand up against any form of infraction perpetrated by these individuals that have questionable character.

In the past, JAMB had a strong synergy with journalists, but that relationship is weak now. So, I want to encourage you to build that synergy so as to educate our people and shore up our fortunes, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment

By Naomi Sharang

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, said it might consider adoption of University Transparency Account System (UTAS) presented by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

UTAS, proposed by ASUU to the Federal Government, is an alternative emoluments payment platform to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The Labour Minister, Sen. Chris Ngige, said this while addressing newsmen after about two and half hours closed door meeting with the leaderships of the Senate and ASUU.

Ngige said that the alternative payment platform presented by ASUU was home grown and worth given thorough assessment test.

We agreed at the meeting to give required consideration to the UTAS alternative they came up with as a way of finding lasting solution to the lingering crisis over implementation of IPPIS.

We have neither jettisoned the implementation of the IPPIS nor fully accepted UTAS .

The level we moved to now is to subject ASUUs scheme to integrity test and in doing so, it will be presented to users like the office of Accountant General of the Federation on Wednesday .

After that, it will be sent to the National Information Technology Development Agency ( NITDA) and from there to the office of the National Security Adviser for second look.

The platform is an option grown device that requires stage by stage consideration and from the looks of things is good, he said.

Confirming the head way achieved at the meeting, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TetFund, Sen. Ahmad Baba Kaita, said that the interface had not ended, but a stage of compromise is getting closer between the two parties.

The meeting brokered by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, among other stakeholders, achieved a lot today with agreement on the need to subject the UTAS alternative brought forward by ASUU for integrity test by all relevant departments of the government, he said.

The ASUU leadership, however, refused to speak to the press after the closed door meeting, but were in good mood apparently due to governments decision to consider the alternative platform. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Senate President Ahmed Lawan

By Kingsley Okoye

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said Nigerians acted within their rights to protest the killings and brutality against citizens by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) across the country.

Lawan made the statement at Tuesdays plenary in his concluding remarks on a matter of personal explanation into the murder of Jimoh Isiaka by the Police, and attack on the Palace of Soun of Ogbomoso Land during the recent #EndSARS protest in some states across the country.

The Senate President while commenting on the development which was sparked by SARS brutality against Nigerians, described previous conduct of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad as unacceptable.

SARS was funded by public funds and the entire essence of having the Nigeria Police Force is to ensure that there is law and order, and that there is security for our people.

When SARS turned against the people, it was right for the people to protest peacefully, Lawan said.

The Senate President also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for promising to bring to justice all those involved in perpetrating various atrocities against Nigerians.

He, therefore, prevailed on Nigerians to suspend the #EndSARS protest, particularly in view of the recent disbandment of the police unit by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Lawan assured that those found culpable of Police brutality against Nigerians would be brought to face the weight of the law.

I think the protest has yielded the desired result so far, and there may not be need to continue to have protests again when SARS has been disbanded.

Those culprits who were involved in the killing and maiming of Nigerians will be brought to book.

I think we should give the government the chance to implement those reforms as quickly as possible, the Senate President appealed.

Sen. Buhari Abdulfatai (APC-Oyo North), while coming under Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules, noted with grief the death of Jimoh Isiaka and several other promising youth.

He said that their lives were cut short at their prime during the recent #EndSARS protest, which started on Oct. 8.

According to the lawmaker, the right to peaceful assembly and free expression as a fundamental principle of any democracy, is enshrined in Section 40 of Nigeria Constitution 1999.

He said the section guarantees the right of every Nigerian to peaceful protest.

Abdulfatai decried the #EndSARS protest, which he said, resulted into a confrontation between the security operatives and the protesting youth in some parts of country such as Ogbomoso in Oyo State, where violence was recorded.

For instance, the Nigeria Police were alleged to have injured seven (7) protesters and shot dead a young man known as Jimoh Isiaka, a Constituent of mine during the protest, the lawmaker lamented.

He added that as a reaction to the death of Jimoh Isiaka, the palace of the Paramount Ruler of the city, the Soun of Ogbomoso land, was attacked by the protesters who destroyed property and vehicles, with some palace officials sustaining injuries.

Also, Sen. Richas Okorocha (APC-Imo West), kicked against the arrest and detention of #EndSARS protesters across the country by the Police.

He stressed the need for those arrested during the protests to be released from detention unconditionally by the Police so as to calm frayed nerves.

Okorocha called on the Federal Government to prosecute police officers who went out of the rules of engagement to harm Nigerians during the protests.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Pauline Tallen, Women Affairs Minister

By Naomi Sharang

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, on Tuesday, said that out of the 36 states in the country, 11 states had yet to domesticate the Child Rights Act which was passed into law in 2003.

She made this known during a public hearing in Abuja organised by the Senate Committee on Women Affairs on two bills: Older Persons Rights and Privileges Bill 2020 and The Child Rights Act, 2003 Amendment Bill 2020.

According to Tallen, since her assumption into office, she has been working round the clock, reaching out to governors and members of the Houses of Assembly in the various states to ensure that the Act is domesticated in the states.

But the good news is that we are making some progress. Out of the 36 states we now have 25 states that have domesticated the Act.

Im still not too happy that we still have 11 states that are yet to domesticate the Act.

However, Im reaching out. I just returned from an advocacy tour of some of the states and Im still moving on until I cover the 11 states.

I have just returned from Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe. The three States I have visited since after the COVID-19 and they have reassured me because I addressed the Houses of Assembly of the three states and had public hearing with stakeholders.

The minister further assured that before the end of 2020, all states would have domesticated the Act.

She described the two bills as life saving bills particularly the Child Rights Act bearing in mind the events that were unfolding in the country as a result of rape and gender-based violence particularly as it affected minors and innocent children who are vulnerable members of the society.

The old persons are not left out of it and it is heart breaking that this vulnerable class has been so badly abused by evil men in our society.

A former Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District called for the liberation of the child from all forms of abuse.

COVID-19 has opened our eyes to a lot of things especially on the vulnerable children, the girl-children.

I have said it that the girl-child is instrumental to the development of Nigeria. When you train a child, a girl-child, you are not only training a child, you are training a generation.

Also speaking, Sen. Eze Ajoku, President of Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria, said that it was the coming together of the coalition that gave birth to the bill.

He said that the bill was the first attempt to bring out Nigerian older persons in any form of bill that would determine their rights and privileges.

Ajoku said the bill provided for some discounts for older persons in private hospitals whereas it wasnt obtainable in Federal Government Hospitals where most of the older persons were attended to.

Sponsor of the bill, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (APC-Ogun), said that the bill was read for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, and also read for the second time on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Amosun said that the bill when passed, would ensure that any person convicted of attempted rape should be unsuitable to work with children.

Apart from the existing punitive measures in relation to sexual offences against children, the thrust of this Bill is preventive in nature, and it is in line with the time-tested wisdom that says prevention is better than cure.

This bill further gives protection to the Nigerian child against sexual violence and abuse suffered in the hands of caregivers and others, whom for lack of appropriate legal restrictions, have found themselves in positions that give them undue advantage and access to the children.(NAN)

Source: NAN News