Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman has expressed the determination of the legislative arm to partner with the Women Africa International Foundation to improve the wellbeing of women and children in Bauchi State.
He made the statement when he received in audience members of the Women Africa International Foundation who paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Tuesday.
According to the Speaker, the welfare of women and children is one of the top priorities of the Bauchi State House of Assembly thus they have made various resolutions and legislation to better the lives of women and children which he said are the most vulnerable in the society.
He commended the Foundation for establishing its northern region headquarters in Bauchi which he said the state will be at a bigger advantage to gain a lot from the Foundation.
On the issue of the rape of a minor at Wunti Street Bauchi, the Speaker explained how the State Assembly acted promptly to ensure justice for the victim.
He directed the Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs to investigate the allegation that the raper of the girl was prosecuted without the knowledge of the family of the victims and act accordingly.
In his remarks, Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs Hon. Wanzam Muhammad commended the Foundation for its humanitarian services in the country.
Hon. Wanzam explained that the North, especially the northeast which is ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency is in dire need of such services in order to ameliorate the hardship faced by people as a result of the insecurity and other calamities.
He urged the Foundation to judiciously spread its services to all parts of the State so that many lives will be touched.
Speaking earlier, Leader of the Foundation Aishatu Garba Aminu explained that the Foundation is a nongovernmental organization that strives to improve the wellbeing of women and children in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to her, the Foundation which started its operations in the southern part of the country has now extended to northern Nigeria and established its northern region headquarters in Bauchi.
She requested the contribution and partnership of the State Assembly in discharging its mandate in the State.
The Leader also commended the State Assembly for the prompt response and attention are given to a girl raped by a 50 years old man at Aminu Street Bauchi.
According to her, this has further indicated the quality representation of the State lawmakers and their concern on the plight of women and children.
She however lamented how reports they gathered revealed that the family of the victim is not carried alone by the security agencies on the matter in which the raper was even prosecuted without the knowledge of the family of the victim.
The Leader, therefore, urged the Speaker to intervene so as to ensure justice is done to the victim.
