The Kano State children took over the Kano State House of Assembly for one and a half hours to celebrate International Children’s Day and call for improved school security.
The children, selected from different schools across the state, represented the 40 house members, presided over by the speaker, 15-year-old Mohammed Isa.
During the special session on Wednesday, they called on the Kano state government to provide adequate security in all schools.
Presenting a motion on the house floor, Nafisa Sale, representing the Rano constituency, said the rise in insecurity affects school retention and completion rates, especially in rural communities.
She said most schools in the areas are closed down due to threats of kidnapping and persistent school attacks, which distract the academic calendar, create panic and prevent many others from attending schools, hence the need for the government to step in by fencing state schools with mounted security personnel to ensure safe schools.
Similarly, worried by the level of poverty in the state, a member representing Dawakin Tofa constituency, Abdulsalam Dangambo, highlighted the importance of engaging the youths in skills acquisition to reduce the rate of school dropout and high rate of social vices such as crimes, drug abuse among others.
He said the government and NGOs could leverage the resources available at the various LGAs to train them in multiple skills. He cited the examples of pottery and mat making for people living in Dawakin Tofa and noted that this can make them self-reliant.
He also emphasised the importance of introducing computers and digital literacy, which will help them compete favourably with modern technology.
The children’s parliament also discussed financial constraints that hinder educational retention and completion, examined the country’s economic situation, and called on the government to provide incentives for studies, especially for girls.
While commending the state governor for allocating 31 per cent to education and providing school uniforms and books, among other things, they also urged the state government to construct dams and channels to boost irrigation farming, noting that it will increase job availability, food security, the economy, social stability, and environmental sustainability.
In a similar development, the children earlier visited the 16th Emir of Kano, Mallam Mohammed Sanusi, presenting the plight of children in the state, which include issues of out-of-school children, drug abuse, maternal mortality and poor care for the orphans as well as widows, in the society.
In his response, Emir Sanusi pledged to provide a means to address the children’s welfare and concerns and also urged stakeholders in the state to work towards addressing their plights.
He also tasked them to be dedicated to their studies as they strive to become great future leaders.
In his remarks, the communication Officer of the UNICEF Kano Field office, Mr Samuel Kalau, said the United Nations set aside 20 November to celebrate a day for children to take over, amplify their voices, and call for action.
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