Kano state Government says it would soon establish three additional juvenile courts to promote children’s right in the state.
The Director Citizens Rights, Kano Ministry of Justice, Alhaji Muhammed Sulaiman, stated this during a one day dialogue organized by National orientation agency in collaboration with UNICEF to commemorate International Children’s Day held in Kano.
Alhaji Sulaiman explained that currently, the state had two functional courts that tackled and addressed juvenile cases.
On the Child Rights Act, the Director explained that the state had reviewed and made all necessary amendments and would soon be passed into law.
“We are soon establishing three and will also expand to eight other local government areas across the state.”
Other stakeholders such such as the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Nigeria Police Force also made renewed commitments for children.
Deputy Supretendant of Correction, Mr Habibu Kabir represented the Nigeria Correctional Service, said they would improve on their custodial program.
According to him, the program focuses on the welfare and rehabilitation of children who are supposed to be in correctional centres.
“We are mandated to reject children below the age of 16 in our centres when they are brough to us so we make other recommendations on their state.”
Mrs Aisha Yakasai, Gender Based Violence Officer at the Kano Command of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, said they would improve on awareness on the rights of children.
“We will organised programs to enlighten people on child protection and welfare, in order to promote children’s legal rights.”
Presenting a paper, Child Protection Specialist from UNICEF Kano Field Office, Fatima Adamu decried lack of specialised training for agencies dealing with Children’s issues.
She highlighted the challenges faced by children, saying that they were vulnerable and there was lack of established data on children in detention.
The child protection specialist appealed to the media, to support in promoting the rights of children and safeguarding their dignity
The event themed “Strengthening supportive systems for the protection of the Nigerian Child: A wake up call” witnessed large turn out of media practitioners, security and paramilitary agencies,who pledged to support the course for children’s welfare.
KHADIJAH ALIYU/KANO
