As part of the activities lined up for the 2025 Children’s Day celebration, the 3rd Children Parliament of Ondo State, paid a courtesy visit to The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji and also, observed the plenary session.

The young parliamentarians, Their Parents and Staffs of the ministry and Save the Children International NGO were led to the House by Dr. Seun Bosede Osamaye, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs.

She highlighted that the revival of the Children Parliament, which had been moribund for 12 years, is one of the key initiatives under the current administration to give Ondo State Children a platform for their voices to be heard, to advocate for their rights, and advance causes that promotes Childre welfare with supports from Save the Children International.

Following their observation of the plenary session, the children were moved to the lower chamber, where they were given the opportunity to meet and have a conversation with the members of the house.

Mr. Eyimofe Omede, Case Study and Communication Officer of Save the Children International, expressed gratitude to the speaker and members of the house for accommodating the children’s miparliament. He also appealed for continued support and recognition of the Children Parliament as a vital voice in governance and advocacy.

Samuel Raphael from Akure South LGA, representing the Children Parliament, expressed his excitement and honoured at being part of such a remarkable experience. He pledged to be a responsible and committed representative of his peers.

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji commended the efforts of the Special Adviser on Women Affairs and expressed the House’s willingness to support future engagement of the Children Parliament. He praised the Governor for recognizing the value of children as not just physical beings but spiritual gifts with great potential.

House Majority Leader, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, member representing Owo Constituency II commended the ministry for addressing the pressing needs of children, describing their access to the assembly chambers as a sign of hope for the future. He encouraged the children to remain good ambassadors of their families, schools, the state, and the nation.

Hon. MoyinOlorun Ogunwumiju representing Ondo West emphasized the significance of the visit to prepare the children to occupy higher positions in future.

Also speaking, Hon. Olawumi Fayemi – Obayelu, representing Ilaje Constituency 2 congratulated the young parliamentarians, encouraging them to pursue excellence irrespective of gender. She reminded them that the sky is only the starting point for what they can achieve.

Other lawmakers urged the children to remain committed to their studies and to never succumb to bully in order to become successful individuals in life.

One of the Parliamentarians, Victor Akinagbe from St. Joseph College, Ondo, representing Ondo West LGA appreciated the speaker and other assembly members on behalf of other children parliamentarians for their warm reception and encouragement. He pledged to be a proud ambassador of the State.

Bishop Oluseyi Odusola, administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development expressed appreciation to the House for dedicating their time to engage with the Children Parliament.

The event marked a significant step in the reawakening of the children’s parliament and demonstrated the O’datiwa administration’s commitment to inclusive governance.