The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade has been commended by the state chapter of the Child Protection Network Nigeria (CPN), for signing the Child Rights Amendment Bill, 2023 into Law.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the State Coordinator of CPN, Kepe Ikpi Esq., on Tuesday (May 23) and made available to CONVERSEER.
According to the statement, the Law has made it simpler to adopt a child as well as criminalise child witchcraft branding.
“We have received the news of the signing into Law of the Child Rights Amendment Bill, 2023, now to be known as the Cross River State ‘Child Rights Law, 2023’, by the Cross River State Governor.
“We thank the Governor for this very special gift to Cross River children. This is coming few days to the Children’s Day celebration and the end of the current administration.
“Members of the Network played key roles in the review and subsequently supported the House of Assembly during the legislative process. We encourage members and partners to read the new Law and acquaint themselves with the new provisions of the Law.
“Let us use this opportunity to draw the attention of schools and those who associate discipline with violence, that corporal punishment is now a crime. They should acquaint themselves with non-violent disciplinary measures. The Law also criminalises child witchcraft branding and has made fostering and adoption of children simpler”, the statement read in part.
Ikpi also commended the state and non-state actors who contributed to ensuring the Law comes to fruition.
“We thank the Speaker and members of the Cross River State House of Assembly for seeing this through. The children of Cross River will always be grateful to you for this new Law. Thanks to the Commissioner for Women Affairs; Prof. Gertrude Njar, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice for the significant role they play in ensuring that the Bill is signed before the end of this administration. Special thanks to Mr James Ibor, former CPN State Coordinator, for the sleepless nights spent to ensure that the new Law comes to light. Thanks to Dr Josephine Effah-Chukwuma of Project Alert for her immense contribution. Thank you Girl’s Power Initiative (GPI) and other very important stakeholders. Your effort is acknowledged and appreciated.
“The role UNICEF played cannot be overemphasised. We remember the role played by the Chief of Field Office, Enugu Field office. Nkiru Maduechesi and Victor Atuchukwu were relentless in their support”, the statement added.
Get Faster News Update On: WhatsApp and Telegram
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without written permission from CONVERSEER. Read our Terms Of Use.
