Sokoto State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Suleiman Usman (SAN) on Tuesday inaugurated Justice For Children Coordination Forum in an event held at the Shukura Hotels, Sokoto.
The Sokoto AG, who said justice is the greatest legacy that can guarantee sane society, added that the Sokoto State Ministry of Justice is happy to receive participants to the inception meeting for access to justice project in the state.
Giving insights into the meeting, Usman said the forum is being funded by the European Union through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to give access to justice for both vulnerable and children on the move.
Speaking on the role of the newly inaugurated forum, Sokoto AG said it will help facilitate a system for the exchange of information between sectors in order to optimize the delivery of response services for children in contact with justice system as well as advisory think-tank on strategies and advocacies to strengthen the law enforcement towards being preventive, responsive and child-friendly.
Usman said, “The specific objectives of this forum shall include: To ensure that the rights of children are respected at every stage of juvenile, justice adminstration including investigation, prosecution, judicial hearing as well as rehabilitative and custodial stages.
“The forum will also articulate, develop and share models of intervention that promotes efficiency and effectiveness in the adminstration of justice and provision of child friendly services to children”.
On his part, the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, Mr Pius Uwananua, said the programme was actually very unique, hence it is the inception programme for children access to justice especially those on the streets.
He said, “It’s actually not only an eye opener but also a wayforwad to see how we can provide justice for these children as and when due.
“It is therefore a success for us when it comes to child protection. This is because for us, protection is one of the key things for survivors and these project is actually looking at how to provide these protection and in good condition as well”.
Members of the Sokoto State Justice for Children Coordination Forum were drawn from ministries of women and children affairs, education and health. Others are from NAPTIP, NPC, NCS, the Police, NSCDC, NIS, Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights, FIDA, SGBR Team as well as the media and Chief Registrar of High Court and that of Sharia Court of Appeal.
