STAKEHOLDERS on Child Rights Act from various Islamic faith-based organisations in Zamfara State have expressed their readiness to support the passage of Child Rights Act whenever it is represented before the State House of Assembly for deliberations and approval.

This was part of discussions at a one day stakeholders meeting on adaptation of the Child Rights Act and its challenges in Zamfara State organised by a coalition of civil society organisations working on maternal and child health held yesterday in Gusau, the state capital.

In his submission at the meeting, a patron of the state Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Waikamatus Sunnah Islamic Society, Malam Abubakar Fari, who is also a member of the State Council of Ulama, said it is now evident that the Act should be supported, and vowed to facilitate its passage at all levels as soon as objectionable areas raised are deleted or remodeled.

In view of the foregoing, it is compulsory for us to stand firm in ensuring that this Act is passed. We have really seen reason not to discard some rights belonging to children, which do not contradict our religion or culture. I believe this is very important and timely.

Let me said it clearly that prior to the demonstration, we at the state council of Ulama have already taken a stance against the Act and sex education. But now, I wish to state my total support for this important course, and may Allah assist us in making it successful.”

Chairman of the state Joint Youth Islamic Group, Sanusi Kotorkoshi, represented by Ismail Jibril, said the organisation has identified some issues in the Act, which contradict the state’s culture and religion.

We thank Allah, now we have seen reason not to throw the Act away completely. We are ready to sit down with the relevant stakeholders in developing a clean copy that will not contradict our religion and culture for onward presentation to the State House of Assembly. The Joint Youth Islamic group is ever ready to cooperate with this group and support the course,” he said.

Other Islamic groups also stated their readiness to mobilise and ensure the passage of the Child Rights Act in Zamfara in view of its importance in holding government accountable to the survival and development of children.

Earlier, the State Coordinator of MNCH Coalition, Ibrahim Tudu, said the aim of the meeting was to sensitise Islamic groups, particularly those who lead the demonstration against the passage of the Act in the state some years ago.