ONDO SET TO RE-INTRODUCE CHILDREN'S PARLIAMENT

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ONDO SET TO RE-INTRODUCE CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT

…As Government partners relevant stakeholders including Save The Children to achieve results

After some years of break in operations of Ondo State Children’s Parliament due to some unforeseen circumstances, the state government is set to inaugurate a fresh Children’s Parliament.

The Children’s Parliament is a concept that gives children a formal platform to express their views, concerns and ideas about issues that affect them.

It is also meant to empower children, teach them about democracy, leadership and rights and involve them in decision-making processes at the school, local, national, and even international levels.

As a prelude to the inauguration which would come up during this year’s Children’s Day celebration, a committee has been set up by the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to supervise and validate a selection process which would produce Children Parliamentarians.

A selection process had earlier been carried out by organising school competitions in the 18 local government areas of the state, where 2 best students are picked from each local government area to participate in the Children’s Parliament constitution.

Sequel to the above selection process, the committee had a meeting with all the selected students from the 18 local government areas to assess and validate the selection process.

The meeting which came to fore at the instance of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with Save the Children, an NGO was attended by relevant stakeholders.

Students were grilled in areas such as Introduction, their knowledge of Children’s Parliament, Vision and Intentions and How to achieve their vision.

Speaking at the meeting, the Director Child Development, Mr Mefun Tophas appreciated the committee members for their selfless service and for what they have achieved this far.

He admonished them not to despair in carrying out the assignment, saying inauguration is the target.

Mr Mefun also commended the Chaperons who brought the students from their various local government areas for successfully conducting the competitions which produced each local government’s representatives.

In her remarks, the Child Protection Network (CPN) representative, Mrs Bola Iyang appreciated the efforts of the committee members for the job done so far.

She said the committee had to go through the rigours to ensure that competent representatives are produced from each local government area and subsequently produce formidable Ondo State Children’s Parliament.

Present at the meeting were APIN representative, Mr Asawa Samuel, Barrister Femi Babalola, representative of the 18 local government Children’s Parliament, Mrs Opeyemi Agunbiade from NOA, Mrs Bukola Bolanle form Ministry of Education, Mr Inioluwa Ifedayo from Balm In Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF) and Mr Eyimofe Samuel from Save the Children.