Gombe state government establishes children’s parliament

The Gombe State Government has conducted election and inaugurated the state Children’s Parliament, in an effort towards involving the children in advocacy for their protection.

The election was conducted by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, the Save the Children International.

After the election, Umar Farouk Abdullahi from Gombe-Central zone was sworn-in as the Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, while Abdullahi Salisu from Gombe-North zone emerged as the Deputy Speaker.

In a remark while inaugurating the parliament, the Director Advocacy and Campaign at the Save the Children International, Mr Emmanuel Mamo stated that children’s issues start from family level as many decisions are taken without considering their best interests.

In his address to the parliament, the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Abubakar Nono, said the state assembly remains committed to facilitate and make laws that would protect children’s rights.

The speaker represented by the secretary of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Aminu Aliyu Swa said effort is being made to expedite actions towards domestication of the child right act.

The parliament discussed issues of child marriage and other matters affecting children during their first session.

Presiding over the house, the new speaker, Umar Farouk pledged to work with his colleagues to ensure that child-marriage and violence against children end in the state.