By Ahmed Liman Kingimi, Maiduguri
The 5th Borno State Children’s Parliament has passed a motion urging the Borno State Government and development partners to sustain and expand gains made in children’s education, protection and welfare, as Save the Children International pledged continued support despite shrinking global funding.
The motion, debated during its 2nd Session in Maiduguri on September 16, was sponsored by Hon. Maryam Baba Gana Tijjani Banki and six other child parliamentarians. It commended the state government for construction and rehabilitation of schools, teacher recruitment and welfare, promotion of enrolment and retention, payment of WAEC and NECO fees, and for enacting the Borno State Child Protection Law and rehabilitating conflict-affected children.
The Parliament however warned that many children remain vulnerable to displacement, poverty, disability, and insecurity, and resolved to call for stronger investment with focus on the most vulnerable, sustained support from partners including Save the Children, greater community support for child rights, and more opportunities for children to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
The resolution came a day before a special sitting on September 16 attended by Save the Children International Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. Duncan Harvey, and officials of Save the Children UK.
Harvey described the Parliament as an impressive and powerful platform.
“It was very impressive to see children speaking for themselves about their rights, about the needs of children in Borno State when it comes to security, to education, to good health. It’s an honour to be here,” Harvey said.
On the power of child participation, he added: “When children speak out for themselves, when they tell leaders what they want to see from the education system, what they need in terms of health, it’s extremely powerful. It’s much more powerful than when adults like myself stand up and say what we think children need.”
Harvey cited former Borno Children Parliament Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Zanna, now Deputy Speaker of the National Children Parliament who speaks on the international stage, as proof of the platform’s impact, and reaffirmed Save the Children’s commitment.
“Despite shrinking funding globally, our commitment remains. We will continue to amplify these children’s voices to decision-makers in Abuja and internationally, to ensure their demands for education, protection and health are not forgotten,” he said.
For the children parliamentarians, the sitting was more than appreciation – it was a demand for rescue and inclusion.
“We represent 27 LGAs, including children with disabilities and the Almajiri constituency. We involve inclusivity. We may not have the power to take action, but we have the power to influence action. We are the voice of the voiceless,” said Deputy Speaker, Hon. Rayyan Ibrahim Umar.
Rayyan said children are losing hope over the abduction of children in Mussa and Lassa communities.
“They have tried and tried but got no response. They now have a mentality of staying silent. We are here to tell them – never lose hope. Your children will come back home,” he said, appealing to Save the Children to amplify their voices internationally on Safe Schools, out-of-school children and children in captivity.
House Leader, Hon. Mubarak Hasan Alkali, delivered the most defiant line of the day: “When we raise our voices, we are not just complaining. Children in captivity are not statistics.”
“We cannot wait for big stages to speak. Having the voice, we need to speak continually, even at the individual level, until they are brought back home. Welfare comes after safety. It is not only about speaking, but we need to enforce action to bring them home,” he said.
The Parliament ended its sitting with commendation for Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s investments in education, while demanding continuous development, improved security for schools and better access to health services until every child in Borno can live safely, learn and contribute to the future of the state.
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