BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto-
The European and United Nations have supported Spotlight Initiative in organizing a four day workshop for Sokoto State Ministry of Justice on how best to ensure the rights of a child.
The training which had in attendance Judges, Magistrates, Law Officers/Prosecutors was geared towards enlightening them on the new administration of Justice Law and Child Protection System Strenghning
While admonishing law officers in Sokoto to always ensure best interest of the child in whatever decision they are taking, one of the resource persons, Alkali Ibrahim Ahmed, a lawyer from National Judicial Institute, Abuja said the overall aim of the 4 day training was to provide Judges with knowledge and skills to implement the Child Rights Act (CRA) and Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) effectively as doing so will enable them to effectively handle children’s cases in the family Court.
Alkali also added that the training was to enable participant members of the judiciary to be able to train other colleagues to equip them with the skills required to handle Child Rights act.
On his part, Sokoto State Attorney General and Commssioner for Justice, Suleiman Usman SAN said he is specially delighted to address the gathering put together with the support of EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in collaboration with the State ministry of Justice.
Suleiman who noted that the training will help all participants to ensure fair and timely dispense of Justice in Sokoto State, further thanked the UNICEF for their gigantic effort towards becoming a very strong link for Justice system in the State.
“Justice is the greatest need of human being after live. I can assure you that the State Child Justice adminstration will be a model for other States to emulate”, Justice Suleiman divulged.
UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Muhammadeen Fall in his closing remakes said he is delighted to be part of the ceremony adding that it was a very important one hence it has to do with the survival and development of the child.
Mr Fall therefore said, the workshop allow the law workers to discuss social welfare, justice system and lots more.
“I don’t have doubt that the quality of human resources present at the workshop will guarantee that we have a very good justice system for children in the State” Mr Fall advised.
The Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Justice Muhammed Saidu Sifawa, noted that, the training came at the right time considering the fact that the number of abuses in children and particular the girl child at this era is worrisome.
Justice Saidu Sifawa further assured that the State Judiciary are ready to cooperate at all times with UNICEF and other organizations that are handy to work for the improvement of children in Sokoto State.
He recalled that he was part of those that drafted the Child Rights Act. He also appealed to UNICEF to also recognize the peculiarities to understand that they cannot have all at the same time.
“If there are areas where clashes comes in, they should understand that it will be gradual”.
From the report, I recieve from this workshop, I have admitted that the outcome has been very furitful
Recalling highlights of the 4 days training, Esther Shisoka UNICEF Communication for Development Specialists said Child Protection System consists of a legal and policy framework that connects social welfare, social norms change and justice system.
According to her, the essence of the systems is to provide services that guarantees parenting support, promoting child participation, child care and counseling
She also said the norms, structures and processes must be functional to help ensure child justice system.
At the end of the day, Action Plans towards strenghtening Justice system for children in Sokoto was drawn
Speaking in his closing remarks, Justice Mohammed Mohammed of Sokoto High Court said, the training was apt and very educative