Children’s Day: Bauchi Poises To Protect Children From Exploitative Labour Practices, Forced Marriage – House Speaker

By Khalid Idris Doya

Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Yakubu Suleiman has said that the state legislature is fully committed to enforcing legislation that will protect children from exploitative labour practices and advocating for policies that prevent forced marriage, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.

The Speaker explained that the House remained resolute in overcoming the challenges that plague children in order to protect the rights and well-being of every child in the state.

He noted in a message Children’s Day celebration that many children in Nigeria confront formidable challenges, numerous schools lack proper infrastructure, including classrooms, furniture, and learning materials, teachers often face inadequate training and limited resources to provide a nurturing and effective learning environment.

According to him, a lot of children lack access to proper medical facilities, thereby resulting in a higher risk of preventable diseases and inadequate healthcare support.

The Speaker also observed that immunization coverage is often insufficient, leaving children vulnerable to deadly illnesses, as malnutrition remains a persistent issue, leading to stunted growth and hindered cognitive development.

“Today, as we celebrate the joy, innocence, and boundless potential that resides within each and every one of you, we must also acknowledge the harsh realities that children face, particularly in developing countries like ours and within the boundaries of Bauchi State.”

Speaker Abubakar Suleiman also noted with dismay that many children are forced into exploitative work instead of being in school, robbing them of their right to a proper childhood and education.

He lamented that children are often subjected to hazardous conditions, long hours, and meagre wages, depriving them of their innocence and hindering their potential.

“We pledge to continue prioritizing resources to improve education infrastructure, train and empower teachers, and provide essential learning materials. We will advocate for the establishment of more healthcare facilities, increase immunization coverage, and implement comprehensive nutrition programs to combat malnutrition”.

Abubakar added, “Commendable efforts have been made to ameliorate the aforementioned challenges by the Bauchi State government under the stellar stewardship of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed with the support of the House of Assembly”, adding, ‘I am humbly first among competent equals’.

He explained that the State Legislature has recognized the immense value of every child’s dreams and aspirations, stressing “Let us unite in our dedication to creating a brighter future for every child in Bauchi State, overcoming these challenges and fostering an environment where every child can reach his or her full potential.”