Members of the Borno State Children’s Parliament have called for stronger government action to protect children from drug abuse, promote education, and strengthen child rights laws.
The two-day sitting was held on Monday & Tuesday at the Borno State House of Assembly with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Borno State House of Assembly.
Honorable Mubarak Hassan AlKali, House Leader of the Children’s Parliament and member representing Maiduguri Metropolitan constituency, raised a motion on the need to curb the use of traditional harmful herbs among school children.
He said studies showed that about 20% to 40% of students misuse herbal substances known as “Gumm,” which many believe to be safe.
“It is harmful and can destroy their future,” Mubarak said.
“I see it as crucial to raise a motion on the need to curb the use of these harmful things because as a child, if you harm yourself with this kind of drug, it is like you are harming your future.”
He appealed to the state government to ban “Gumm,” noting that many children take it out of curiosity or peer pressure.
“Sometimes they just use it to fit in,” he said.
“After the experiment, it becomes an addiction, and they continue without knowing the health risk because it damages their organs and can cause death.”
He advised children to avoid drugs that are not prescribed by medical professionals.
“Taking harmful drugs is like putting your future in danger,” he added.
Honorable Safiya Alkali Aji Kolo, member representing Jere constituency and chairperson on Interparliamentary Relations, raised a motion titled Children’s Voices for Change: Advancing the Nigerian Call for Action.
She urged the Borno State government and other stakeholders to adopt the Nigerian Call for Action as a legal framework to protect children and rehabilitate those affected by recruitment into violent activities.
“I appealed for the rehabilitation, reintegration, and recovery of those children,” she said.
“The motion was debated in the House and the House agreed to it.”
Rt. Ibrahim Umar, deputy speaker and member representing Shani constituency, raised a motion on promoting a “Back-to-School Campaign” across the state.
He said many children in his constituency are out of school and need special programs to return to class.
“I decided to speak out on the need to promote back-to-school campaigns,” he said.
“If this motion is implemented, we can track whether the number of out-of-school children decreases in the coming years.”
He supported Mubarak’s motion, noting that harmful herbs are not verified by NAFDAC and are illegal.
He said awareness programs and medical guidance are needed to prevent children from using such substances.
Rt. Fatima Chiroma Zanna, speaker of the Children’s Parliament and member representing Marte federal constituency, commended the parliamentarians for their efforts.
She said the session reviewed motions on back-to-school campaigns, child protection, and the need to curb the use of harmful herbs.
“These motions are important to ensure children’s protection in schools and communities,” she said.
Bawa Gana Kyari from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Social Development coordinated the event.
He praised the success of the sitting and thanked the UNODC for its support.
“The program is very successful, and our children have performed well,” Kyari said.
“We are advocating for the government and philanthropists to support this kind of activity to empower children and encourage them to go back to school.”
Kyari, a social worker and child rights advocate, said the Ministry remains committed to protecting and empowering children.
“We are calling on children to show leadership by enlightening their peers,” he said.
“Whatever they learn is very important and a key to enlightening other children and society.”
The sitting ended with a call for collaboration between government, partners, and communities to protect children, promote education, and strengthen child protection laws in Borno State.
