By Precious Oluwole

In a bold move to foster youth engagement in public affairs, the Ondo State Government has revived its long-dormant Children’s Parliament—an initiative aimed at nurturing leadership skills and amplifying the voices of young citizens in governance.

Speaking at the historic gathering of the Ondo State Children’s Parliament held at the assembly complex in Akure as part of activities line up for the national children’s day in the State,.Chief Oladiji described the event as “epoch-making” and praised the initiative as a vital step in mentoring the next generation of leaders.

He expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Ministry of Women Affairs for their unwavering support in reviving the platform.

“I am particularly delighted to be part of this epic-making occasion. It is by the grace of God that we are gathered here for this special program. I must commend the Governor and all stakeholders who made this happen,” the Speaker said.

He emphasized the importance of providing children with a voice in governance, noting that such initiatives foster inclusiveness and ensure the protection of child rights.

“Children are a gift from God. In most African societies, the regard for them is not only physical but also spiritual. The Ondo State House of Assembly will ensure that maximum support is given to the Children’s Parliament through legislative backing and budgetary support,” Oladiji added.

Speaking,the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs ,Dr Seun Osamaye who led other stakeholders to the Assembly,commended the effort to reinstate the Children’s Parliament, noting that the platform has been dormant for over a decade. She highlighted the support of Save the Children International and announced that the parliament would be formally inaugurated on May 27 , National Children’s Day.

“The vision of the Ondo State Children’s Parliament is to ensure that every child has a voice , to be heard, respected, and empowered. This platform allows children to advocate for their rights and contribute to policies on education, health, and safety,” she said.

The Special Adviser outlined activities for the upcoming Children’s Day celebration, including a rhetoric skills competition centered on the theme: “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation.” Cash prizes and cultural competitions have been lined up to further engage and inspire the children.

Eyimofe Samuel, Communications Officer for Save the Children International in Ondo and Cross River States, also addressed the assembly. He expressed his admiration for the initiative, revealing that similar efforts are ongoing in cocoa-producing communities in both states to address child labor.

“I had chills when I saw these children seated in the assembly. It shows there is hope. We must continue to support children’s participation in governance. Education remains our most powerful weapon to change the world,” he said.

Samuel lauded the state’s commitment and urged continued efforts to sustain the initiative. “Please, as you’ve started, don’t stop. Treat these children well today, and tomorrow, they will govern better,” he added.

The event drew wide participation from stakeholders in education, child protection, and the legislative arm. It was part of broader efforts by the state government and development partners to build a nurturing environment for children in Ondo State.

A representative of the Ondo State Children’s Parliament, Samuel Raphael, praised the state government for reviving the initiative, describing it as a golden opportunity for young voices to be heard in the governance process.

Speaking on behalf of the children during the session Raphael expressed gratitude for the platform, which he said offers them the rare privilege to learn about leadership and public service at an early age.

“We are truly grateful for this opportunity. It is a great privilege to be here today and to witness how government works. This programme has inspired us, and we promise to be good ambassadors of Ondo State wherever we find ourselves,” he said.