The Katsina State Government has pledged to involve children in key decision-making, especially on matters affecting their welfare, education, and development.
Deputy Governor Alhaji Faruq Lawal-Jobe made this known on Friday while receiving members of the Katsina State Children’s Parliament in his office.
He said the government will create opportunities for children to contribute their ideas during the planning of the 2026 state budget. According to him, relevant government officials will engage with the children to hear their suggestions.
“I’ll direct the Commissioners for Youth, Women Affairs, and the Special Adviser on Girl-Child Education to sit with you,” the deputy governor said. “We will also involve the Ministry of Budget and the Community Development Programme so that you can tell us what matters most to you.”
Lawal-Jobe noted that since the 2026 budget process already includes inputs from citizens in all 361 wards of the state, it is important to also hear from children. He encouraged the young parliamentarians to help raise awareness on school enrollment among their peers.
Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, Fadila Sani, commended the government for establishing Sexual Assault Referral Centres and Gender-Based Violence centres, as well as setting up a Child Rights Implementation Committee.
She, however, appealed for better enforcement of child protection laws, full implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, and increased funding for child-focused programmes in the state.
