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The Borno State Government is committed to implementing a new era of justice for children. At a stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday, August 23, 2024, the Borno State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hauwa Abubakar, Esq., along with other state dignitaries and security personnel, discussed the promise and vision of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, to create a new era of justice for children.
In a statement to journalists, the Commissioner highlighted several key reasons why the Governor felt the need to initiate this program. According to the Commissioner, “There is a Child Protection Law in Borno State, a law dedicated to protecting children in the state. This initiative is about restructuring and rebuilding our justice system with a focus on justice for children in the state.”
She further stated that this initiative is not entirely new. “His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, is keen to ensure that everyone in the state, including children, has access to justice. Justice and good governance go hand in hand, and where there is good governance, justice is an integral part,” she said. “Justice is not something we are introducing due to its absence; rather, we are working to strengthen the system for our children.”
The Commissioner emphasized that achieving justice for children is not a task for one agency alone but requires the collaboration of all stakeholders. “We must all ensure that our children have access to justice, and the Governor is doing his best to enhance the Child Protection Law,” she said.
In addition, she called on other ministries, such as those responsible for education and women’s and social development, to join in this collective endeavor to ensure that children have full access to justice in the state. She stressed that reinforcing the Child Protection Law is essential to reduce the rate at which children are subjected to violence and injustice. She also expressed her gratitude to organizations like UNICEF for their support in actualizing this vision.
Mrs. Abubakar praised the UNICEF efforts, saying that the collaboration between UNICEF and the state government has been instrumental in improving and protecting children’s social welfare status, particularly in the post insurgency 10 years strategic transformation plan.
She highlighted the plan to establish a children’s justice forum to ensure the implementation of the child Law and transition of social and criminal justice for children in the state, she also emphasized the need for collaborative efforts and team work to ensure a successful framework and implementation of transitional justice for all , especially children. She solicited support for promoting and protecting the child Law, which is crucial for the well-being and development of the children in the state.
