By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
A bill seeking the establishment of a National Commission on Child Destitution sponsored by Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and twenty other Senators, on Wednesday passed second reading at the Senate.
When established, the Commission would serve as an intervention programme to eradicate child destitution in Nigeria.
A statement by the senator’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashir Rabe Mani and issued in Sokoto Thursday, said the Commission is also aimed at rehabilitating the victims, as well as prohibit the menace of Child destitution in the country.
Accordingly, Senator Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District, while leading the debate, further observed that, the Boko Haram insurgency was aggravated by the menace of Child destitution.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, further averred, ” we are all living witnesses of child destitution to the society, particularly over the last ten years.
” The malady of child destitution in Nigeria has aggravated the menace of Boko Haram, provided fodder for political violence and militancy.
” It has also fuelled ethno religious crises and acted as a catalyst to a variety of other social problems. ”
Senate President, Dr Bukola Sarki, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Establishment, with a four -week time frame to complete it’s assignment.
