In a remarkable celebration of International Children’s Day, children in Kano State seized the spotlight as they took over the Kano State House of Assembly and the Emir’s Palace, amplifying their voices on pressing issues affecting their lives.
The event, organized by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with UNICEF, saw students from various schools across Kano participate in a symbolic legislative session, highlighting the urgent need for action on education, security, and poverty alleviation.
For an hour and a half, 15-year-old Mohammed Isa, acting as Speaker, led a special session in the Kano State House of Assembly, where young parliamentarians represented the 40 members of the House.
During the session, Nafisa Sale, representing Rano Constituency, moved a motion urging the state government to prioritize school security.
“Insecurity has disrupted the academic calendar, forcing schools to shut down and discouraging attendance, particularly in rural areas. We call on the government to fence schools and deploy security personnel to ensure safe learning environments,” she said.
Abdulsalam Dangambo, representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency, highlighted the role of skills acquisition in combating poverty and reducing school dropout rates. He suggested that local resources, such as pottery and mat-making, could be leveraged to empower youths and make them self-reliant.
“The introduction of computer and digital literacy is also critical to help our youths compete in the modern world,” he emphasized.
The children’s parliament also discussed the financial challenges affecting school retention, particularly for girls. They called on the government to provide incentives like scholarships and support for studies to ease the economic burden on families.
While commending the state governor for allocating 31% of the budget to education and providing free school uniforms and books, the young legislators urged further investment in irrigation farming to boost job creation, food security, and economic stability.
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In a parallel event, the children visited the Emir of Kano, Mallam Mohammed Sanusi II, to present their concerns about out-of-school children, drug abuse, maternal mortality, and inadequate care for orphans and widows.
Responding to their concerns, Emir Sanusi pledged to champion initiatives addressing children’s welfare and urged stakeholders to join the effort.
“Your dedication to your studies will shape you into the great leaders of tomorrow,” the Emir encouraged.
UNICEF’s Communication Officer, Samuel Kalau, emphasized the significance of International Children’s Day as a platform for amplifying children’s voices and driving action on their needs.
“This day is a powerful reminder of the potential of young people to influence positive change,” he remarked.
The Kano children used the opportunity to send a strong message to the government, NGOs, and stakeholders to address critical issues such as education security, youth empowerment, and social welfare. Their voices reflect the aspirations of a generation determined to shape a brighter future for Kano State and Nigeria at large.
