It was an exciting experience and a
major breakthrough for children of Enugu State, as the State House of Assembly
finally passed the long awaited Child Rights and Responsibility Bill into law.
The Bill, which would protect and care
for the well-being of the child of Enugu State, taking into account the rights
and duties of the child's parents, legal guardians and other bodies legally
responsible for the child, was presented by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's
Administration as an Executive Bill and sponsored by the leader of the House,
Rt. Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu.
The Executive Bill was sequel to a
passionate appeal to the governor by the children of the state under the
auspices of "The Enugu State Children’s Parliament" for the passage
of the Child Rights Bill into law in the State by the state legislature.
After clause by clause consideration of
the report presented on the Bill by the Joint Committee Chairman, Honourable
Mrs. Nkechi Omeje-Ogbu, the House passed the Bill into law.
While announcing the passage of the
Bill, the Speaker of the House, Chief Edward Uchenna Ubosi, thanked Governor
Ugwuanyi for his passion and bold initiative to protect and preserve the rights
and responsibilities of the children of the state.
He noted that the governor, through the
state Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development, provided the legal
framework and enabling environment for the passage of the Bill to give the
children a sense of belonging as future leaders.
Reacting to the development, the
Speaker of Enugu State Children's Parliament, Miss Winifred Madubuko, described
the passage of the Bill as a positive development and a dream come through,
saying that “the struggle that had started in Enugu for a very long time ago
has come to an end.”
According to her: "On behalf of
the children of Enugu State, we say a very big thank you to His Excellency,
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for keeping to his promise to ensure
that the Bill was passed. It shows that he is a child-friendly governor. We
pray God to bless him more for this landmark feat for the children Enugu State."
She equally thanked other organizations
that saw to the passage of the Bill and urged them to collaborate with the
government for its implementation.
In the same vein, a cross section of
Enugu Children also hailed Gov. Ugwuanyi for the landmark achievement, saying
that the governor has demonstrated his love and care for the children of the
state who had clamored for the passage of the Bill for several years.
Miss Nkemdilichukwu Nnamani, who
identified herself as a 12 years old student of Igbariam Primary School, Achara
Layout, Enugu, while appreciating the governor for facilitating the passage of
the Bill, said that it would guarantee the fundamental rights of the children
of the state, in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federation
Republic of Nigeria.
Another child, Nancy Udeh, equally
commended the governor for his positive thinking towards the progress and
future of the children of the state, adding that such gesture indicates that he
is a listening and caring leader.
Earlier, the Joint Committee Chairman, Hon. Mrs. Omeje-Ogbu, representing Nsukka West Constituency, while presenting the report said that the Joint Committee conducted a three day Public hearing in which about 8000 people attended.
She explained that the Joint Committee recommended several amendments, which were considered in the overall interest of the children.