In a landmark event aimed at amplifying the voices of young people in governance, a 16-year-old Senior Secondary School student, Ramlat Ahmed, has been inaugurated as the Speaker of the Gombe State Children’s Parliament.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Monday at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, also saw the swearing-in of 14-year-old Christopher Ngale as Deputy Speaker and 10 other principal officers. Together, they will pilot the affairs of the seventh assembly of the Children’s Parliament.
The event attracted an audience of government officials, lawmakers, and child rights advocates committed to promoting the welfare and protection of children in the state.
While inaugurating the young legislators, Principal Legislative Officer at the Gombe State House of Assembly, Aminu Aliyu, urged them to prioritise the welfare of children and act as ambassadors for their peers.
“You must carry yourselves in a manner that reflects the weight of the offices you now hold,” Aliyu advised.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Modi Shelpidi, described the inauguration as a milestone in Gombe’s ongoing commitment to child development and welfare.
“Since 2022, we have not had a functional Children’s Parliament in the state. This assembly is a strategic step towards advancing children’s rights and broader social issues affecting women,” Shelpidi noted.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Gabriel Galadima, reaffirmed the Assembly’s support for the initiative, promising to mentor the young parliamentarians in legislative processes.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Asma’u Iganus, applauded Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his continued investment in children’s welfare, including his recent assent to the Child Protection Law and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
“This inauguration is not just a ceremony but a significant platform for empowering children to actively participate in decisions that affect their lives,” Iganus said. She encouraged the new parliamentarians to use their positions to champion children’s rights within and beyond the state.
In line with activities marking the upcoming Children’s Day on May 27, officials of the Ministry, led by Commissioner Iganus, visited several orphanages across Gombe, including Al-Guh Orphanage, Da’awah Orphanage, Gombe House of Hope, and Destiny Kids Orphanage. Relief items were distributed as part of efforts to support vulnerable children.
The newly inaugurated Children’s Parliament is expected to play a critical role in advocating for the protection, empowerment, and development of children in Gombe State.
