Ebonyi State Government on Thursday inaugurated Children's Parliament in Afikpo North Local Government Area with Miss. Peace Ibiam elected as the Speaker of the Parliament.
The 24-Member Children's Parliament which has two representatives( a boy and a girl) from each of the 12 Wards of Afikpo North Local Government Area was inaugurated by Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
In a Goodwill message,the Executive Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area, Hon Uchenna Nnajiofor Ibiam who attended with the 5 Coordinators in the Council Area appreciated the State Governor,His Excellency,Engr. David Nweze Umahi and wife,Her Excellency,Chief(Mrs) Rachel Ogonna Umahi for their all inclusive governance which finds expression in the total development of every sector of the State
The Council Boss charged Children in the Council Area to work hard to develop their potentials,so as to be properly equipped to take over the various leadership positions in the Country in the nearest future
He,while noting that the inauguration of the Children's Parliament will provide a veritable platform for children to succinctly discuss issues affecting their well being, assured the Children of Afikpo North of his administration's commitment to implement policies and programmes that will guarantee a bright future for them.
In a remark, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief(Mrs) Deborah Chinwe Oka who was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Nkwuda appreciated Afikpo North Council Chairman and wife for their level of preparation and disclosed that the Children's Parliament was recommended by the United Nations Children Education Fund,UNICEF and adopted by the Nigerian Government to instill leadership skills in the Children for future purposes.
The Hon. Commissioner who lauded Gov. Umahi and wife for embracing this initiative for the betterment of Ebonyi Children, advised the Children of Afikpo North Local Government Area to take advantage of this platform to develop themselves more.
Earlier in her welcome speech,the Chairperson of Afikpo North Local Government Area,Mrs. Sandra Uche-Ibiam who organized the event in collaboration with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development,Abakaliki thanked the wife of the Governor,Her Excellency, Deaconess Rachel Ogonna Umahi for her wonderful programmes that have added value to Ebonyians especially women and Children and promised to join hands with the wives of Coordinators to provide a supporting system to the children of the Area that would enable them realize their life aspirations.
She enjoined the children to be good ambassadors of their family, Local Government as well as the State and Country at large and should avoid bad company that would always corrupt good manners.
In a free and fair election of the floor functionaries of Afikpo North Children's Parliament presided by the Desk Officer of Children's Parliament, Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development,Mrs. Igboke Nwakaego Ewa ,a 13-year old Miss Peace Ibiam was elected the Speaker while 12 years old Master Emmanuel Eni was elected the Deputy Speaker.
The summary of the election is as follows;
1) Miss Peace Ibiam - Speaker
2)Master Emmanuel Eni - Deputy Speaker
3)Oko Juliana Chinyere House Leader
4) Master Urom-Item Divine - Deputy House Leader
5) Miss.Oko Gracious Chiamaka- Chief Whip
6)Master Nkama David Obinna- Deputy Chief Whip
7)Miss. Florence Udunma Inya-Elu - Clerk of the House
8)Master Okechukwu Odenigbo - Deputy Clerk
9)Miss. Ibe Melodian Eke - Mace Bearer/Sergeant-at-Arm
10) Master Otu Joseph Okechukwu- Deputy Mace Bearer
In addition,Master Eze Kingdavid Chibuudom and Miss Precious Ugo Ibiam were unanimously elected to represent the Children at the State Children's Parliament.
In her acceptance speech,the Speaker of Afikpo North Children's Parliament,Miss.Peace Ibiam appreciated her fellow children for the mandate they gave her to serve as their Speaker and assured them of a vibrant house that would ensure that bills and motions that will protect their rights are initiated for a better Afikpo North Local Government Area.
In attendance during the event include the Vice Chairman of Afikpo North LGA,Hon(Mrs) Josephine Chinwe Nwogo; the 5 Coordinators and their wives; Councilors and their wives; Principal Officers of the Council and their spouses; WDO of the Council; female stakeholders and some staff of Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
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