Zulum signs N269.6bn budget, child protection act into law

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has signed into law, the 2022 budget passed by the State Assembly with a figure of N269.6 billion. The governor also signed two laws: Borno State Child Protection Act and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act. The signing took place on Monday at the Council Chamber of the Government […]

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has signed into law, the 2022 budget passed by the State Assembly with a figure of N269.6 billion.

The governor also signed two laws: Borno State Child Protection Act and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.

The signing took place on Monday at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, and it was attended by the Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and principal officers of the Assembly.

The governor expressed appreciation to the House for their continued support, which he said has immensely contributed to the successes recorded by his administration in the last two and half years.

He also assured to sustain the cordial relationship throughout his tenure.

The budget was increased by the Assembly from the N267.9bn proposed by Governor Zulum in November.

Speaking at the ceremony, the governor said the Child Protection Act and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act he signed were customised to reflect the cultures and religious beliefs of the state, without undermining the main objective of the law.

Speaker of Borno State Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan explained that the slight increase of the budget was to meet the needs of the state, which aligns with the vision of all branches of government.

The governor had on November 30, 2021, proposed a budget of N267.921bn, with N172,535bn for capital expenditure representing 65% of the total budget, and N95,385 billion for recurrent expenditure.

On his part, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Kaka Shehu Lawan commended the governor for singing into law the Borno State Child Protection Act and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP).

Reacting to the assent of the VAPP bill, Executive Director Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said the assent of the VAPP law in Borno State would ensure holistic measures that would protect and provide maximum protection to women and girls in the state.

“Furthermore, his assent of the child rights law also supports the prevention of child marriage, child labour and an end to the likelihood of children being used during the conflict as insurgents, most importantly, children right to education and another important aspect of life. We thank mostly UN Women for the financial support towards the enactment of the law,” she said.