The Zamfara House of Assembly welcomed the state’s Children Parliamentarians on a courtesy visit on Friday, seizing the opportunity to recommit to promoting girl-child education in the state.

House speaker Nasiru Magarya described the Children’s Parliament as an indicator of the bright future of children in the state.

“I am delighted with what I have seen today, I am giving you assurance of our commitment to promote the future of our children.

“As lawmakers and representatives of the people, we will continue to provide laws that will guarantee the future of our children,” Mr Magarya said.

The speaker noted that the assembly recently passed the Child Protection and other social protection related bills and these have already been signed into law by Governor Bello Matawalle.

Dr Barira Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Women and Children Affairs, said the visit was organised by the ministry as part of the activities to commemorate the 2022 International Day for Girl Child.

Ms Ibrahim commended Save the Children International, an NGO, for its support to the parliament, as well as other activities and programmes for child development in the state.

Nura Muhammad, official of the NGO, thanked the State Assembly and the state government for enacting the law and also attending to other concerns related to social protection.

He said girl-child education is one of the key areas of social protection.

“From our own part, the SCI being funded by UKaid and Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), we will continue to support the state for future development,” he added.

The speaker of the Zamfara Children’s Parliament, Sa’adatu Muhammad-Lawal, said the visit was to thank the Assembly Speaker, members and the entire staff of the legislature for passing the Child Protection Bill.

“We are also here to advocate other issues that have to do with various rights of the citizens,” she said. 

(NAN)