The State Speaker of Children’s Parliament, Mubarak Lawan Yantaba, has called on the State House of Assembly to pass the Child Protection Bill into law, as Katsina State continues to grapple with cases of child rights infringement.
The parliament also advocated the enactment of another law that would make girl-child education mandatory and avert early marriage in the state.
While in audience with the State Assembly Speaker, Yantaba said the Bill,if signed into law, would hold government and parents accountable on the issues of child molestation and girls’ education.
He further explained that the Bill, when passed, would ensure that the interest and rights of the Nigerian child is properly taken care of, as “a protected child serves as the pillar for a prosperous society,” adding that the Assembly should also enact a law that would ensure retention of children to complete secondary school with special focus on the girl-child.
In addition, Yantaba called for the involvement of religious and traditional leaders in the fight against drug abuse in the state, saying people with history of drug abuse should not be allowed to pilot the affairs of the society.
The Speaker, who was represented by the member representing Kafur Constituency, Garba Dankanjiba, said the Assembly was aware of the issue and would address it as soon as possible.