The Kano State children took over the Kano state house of Assembly for one and half hours to celebrate the world children’s day.
The plenary session was presided over by the speaker 15 year old Muhammed Isah.
The members of the children’s assembly were selected from different schools across the state, representing the 40 members of the kano state house of assembly.
During the special session they called on the Kano state government to provide adequate security in all schools across the state.
Presenting a motion on the floor of the house, Nafisa Sale representing 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 been close down due to threat of kidnapping and persistent school attack which distract academic calender, create panic and prevent many others from attending schools, hence the need for government to step in by fencing state’s schools with mounted security personnel to ensure safe schools.
Similarly, worried by the level of poverty in the state, member representing Dawakin Tofa constituency, Abdulsalam Dangambo highlighted the importance of engaging the youths in skills acquisition to reduce the rate of school drop out and high rate of social vices such as crimes, drug abuse among others.
He said the government and NGOs can leverage on the various resources available at the various LGAs to train them on various skills, citing example of pottery and mat making for people living in Dawakin Tofa, noting that, this can make them self reliant.
He also harped on the importance of introducing computer and degital literacy, emphasing that it will help them compete favourably with modern days technology.
The children parliament also discussed on Financial constraints that hinders educational retention and completion looking on the economic situation in the country, calling on the government to provide incentives for studies especially for girls.
While commending the state governor for allocating 31 percent to education, provision of school uniforms, books among others, they also urged the state government to construct dams and channels to boost irrigation farming, noting that, it will boost 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 among 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 Sani pledged to provide a means that will address the children’s welfare and concerns and also urged stakeholders in the state to key into 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, UNICEF Kano Field office, Mr. Samuel Kalau said the day, 20th November is set aside by the United Nations to celebrate a day for the children to take over, amplify their voices and call for action.