UNICEF says it will assist Borno State to develop a plan of action to facilitate the implementation of the Child Rights Act.

Its Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Phuong Nguyen, made the declaration at a public hearing of the draft Borno State Child Rights Domestication Act, organised by the state’s House of Assembly.

Nguyen said that UNICEF and other development partners remained committed to ensuring that enablers were provided for the Act to be passed into law.

“While the domestication of the Act is an important milestone, much more work lies ahead to implement the Borno State Child Rights Bill.

“UNICEF and other development partners are committed to ensuring that enablers are available for this Act to be enacted into law, thus providing the legal framework binding all duty bearers to its articles.

“UNICEF will also assist the Borno government to develop an inter-ministerial Plan of Action that will make the law a living and active document to make Borno a better place for children,’’ Nguyen said.

She noted that since the enactment of the Act by Nigeria in 2003 only 27 out of the country’s 36 states implemented it.

Nine states comprising Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa and Zamfara have yet to adopt and domesticate the Act.

“Borno has achieved a huge milestone with this public hearing.

“By reaching this stage, the state government and lawmakers of Borno House of Assembly have shown commitment and dedication to secure the rights and protection of its children,’’ Nguyen stressed.

-NAN