By Reporters
Some key stakeholders in the North-East have confirmed how the Federal Government’s reforms are yielding results in Yobe, leaving Adamawa and Borno far behind.
A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the states have clearly shown how Yobe took bold steps by domesticating 2024 Electricity Act to adopt renewable energy solutions in addressing its power challenges.
Alhaji Mohammed Bara, Yobe’s Commissioner for Transport and Energy, said the state had sponsored a bill on energy development which was passed by the state assembly on July 16 and currently awaiting assent of Gov. Mai Mala Buni.
“With the passage of the bill by the House on July 16, Yobe State is now on track to operationalise its own electricity policy and regulatory framework.
“This will enable us to expand access to energy, explore off-grid and renewable solutions to meet the growing needs of our people and attract investments,” Bara said.
The commissioner said as soon as the governor signed the law, the state would be legally enabled to collaborate with federal agencies and private investors in generating and distributing power.
“Having this legal instrument is a requirement for development partners. With it in place, Yobe is well-positioned to benefit from national and international energy interventions,” he said.
Bara said the ministry already concluded arrangements to sign a partnership with VEMTEC Global Nigeria Ltd., an energy consultancy firm, to facilitate access to a renewable energy grant from the World Bank, through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
“The planned partnership will support the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across critical public institutions, including general hospitals and tertiary facilities in the state.
“VEMTEC would soon commence feasibility studies, data collection, and system analysis in readiness for the project implementation,” Bara said.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in Adamawa have decried the slow domestication and enforcement of the Child Rights Act, among others.
Although, Mrs Kate Mamuno, Majority Leader of the Adamawa House of Assembly and member representing Gombi Constituency, reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to domesticating all applicable national laws.
Mamuno said the assembly had already domesticated key legislations, including VAPP Act, Child Protection Law (the state’s equivalent of the Child Rights Act), Administration of Criminal Justice Law and the Persons with Disabilities Law.
She said the Disability Law has prohibited discrimination and provided avenue for the establishment of a commission to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
The bill, according to her, has been passed and currently awaiting Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri’s assent.
Mamuno said the Fintiri-led administration had prioritised child protection and welfare, with commitment to ensuring a safe and enabling environment for every child in the state.
She also said various programmes which aligned with the Child Protection Law were being implemented to secure children’s rights and welfare.
On the implementation of the National Health Act, Mamuno said the state had established a framework for improved healthcare delivery, including the effective operation of the Adamawa State Health Insurance Scheme.
On laws yet to be domesticated, such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) the Nigeria Start-Up Act, the legislature assured that the assembly would review and consider them in line with the state’s priorities.
“We are committed to domesticating all national laws within our constitutional jurisdiction, provided they serve the interests of our citizens.
“Each bill is thoroughly reviewed to ensure it fits the specific context and peculiarities of Adamawa,” she said.
Mamuno also highlighted ongoing efforts by various ministries, including Women Affairs, Health, Judiciary and Education to implement policies that impact lives across the state.
“The relevant ministries and agencies are actively working to ensure effective implementation of these laws and policies,” she said.
On the 74 Special Seats for Women Bill currently before the National Assembly, Mamuno expressed hope that it would be passed and forwarded to states for concurrence.
“We are optimistic about the passage of the bill. It has been a long time in demand and advocacy aimed at increasing women’s representation in the National and State Assemblies.
“We believe it will eventually come to fruition,” she added.
However, Mrs Jamila Babuba, Chairperson, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Adamawa, has identified slow domestication and enforcement of the Child Rights Act in the state as a major setback to child protection.
Babuba, however, commended the state for significant progress in the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, passed by the Adamawa State House of Assembly in March 2021.
Babuba insisted that the VAPP Act was already in place and supported by capacity-building programmes, but implementation remained a major challenge.
“Adamawa has taken concrete steps by passing the VAPP law and setting up stakeholder engagement platforms, however, service delivery remains underfunded and inconsistent,” she said.
The activist cited monitoring and evaluation reports that identified persistent barriers such as low awareness in rural areas as another source of concern.
“Others are inadequate funding for survivor support services including shelters and psychosocial care, weak referral systems, and continued reliance on informal dispute resolution mechanisms.
“While the legal framework exists, the systems are needed to enforce the law,” Babuba said.
On the child rights issue, Babuba expressed concern that Adamawa was yet to fully domesticate and operationalise the Federal Child Rights Act.
She said although, a Child Protection Bill had been drafted and a Situation Analysis conducted such as low birth registration and child abuse, the legal framework was still not fully in effect.
“Several reviews show that northern states, including Adamawa, lag behind in turning the Child Rights Act into enforceable state laws.
“Without full domestication, legal protections for children remain weak,” she insisted.
Babuba acknowledged support from international partners such as UNICEF and the UN Spotlight Initiative for their role in drafting laws and promoting awareness, adding that lasting change depends on state-led initiatives.
“These external supports are project-based and time-bound, but long-term progress depends on budgetary commitment, institutional capacity, and political will,” she added.
However, the situation in Borno was not far from that of Adamawa because some key constitutional reforms recently amended by the National Assembly such as decentralised power generation, local government autonomy, and legislative independence, remain largely unimplemented.
Borno, Adamawa and Yobe have continued to delay signing death warrants despite mounting calls for action, exposing legal and ethical quandaries.
Borno has also rejected proposals for state police or the creation of additional states and local councils, citing destruction from years of insurgency and reliance on the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) for grassroots security.
Mr Abdulkareem Lawan, Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, said the state does not need more councils or police, saying the existing institutions lack adequate funding before imagining new ones.
“We are against new states and local governments, they bear names but lack substance. We also don’t need state police since CJTF is effective,” Lawan said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed
