Rivers Holds ‘Children’s Parliament’ Tomorrow

The Rivers State Government is billed to host the first Rivers State Children’s Parliament as part of its commitment to promoting child participation in governance and sustainable development.

The programme, organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Port Harcourt Chapter, will take place at the Rivers State Safe Home, 32 Nembe Street, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, beginning by 10:00 a.m.

The event is themed: “Empowering Children as Partners in Governance and Sustainable Development.”

In a statement, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, who is also the President of ISACA, Port Harcourt Chapter, Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, said the programme is aimed at reviving the Rivers State Children’s Parliament as a platform for empowering children to actively participate in governance, advocate for their rights, and contribute to the state’s development.

She noted that the initiative reflects the Rivers State Government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of children by creating opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.

Davies-Dimkpa, who will deliver the welcome address, is expected to reaffirm the government’s commitment to strengthening child rights and fostering inclusive governance by equipping children with the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills needed to become responsible future leaders.

Drawing from insights gained during her recent participation at the African Internal Auditors Conference (AIAC), West Africa 2026, where discussions centred on innovation, collaboration, digital transformation and inclusive governance, she is expected to emphasise the importance of investing in children through platforms such as the Children’s Parliament to prepare them for future leadership and active civic engagement.

The programme will feature presentations on the history of the Rivers State Children’s Parliament, the rationale for its revival, and the legal and policy frameworks that support child participation.

These include the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Child Rights Act, the Rivers State Child Rights Law, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16, which promotes peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

Participants will also be presented with the proposed structure of the Children’s Parliament, covering membership criteria, representation across the 23 Local Government Areas, gender and disability inclusion, the selection process, leadership structure, parliamentary committees and members’ tenure.

The statement further stated that goodwill messages will be presented by representatives of the Ministries of Education and Justice, the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), UNICEF, ISACA, development partners, civil society organisations and parents.

It continued that an n interactive session will also be held to give children the opportunity to express their views, aspirations and expectations for the Parliament in order to reinforce the government’s resolve to place children at the centre of policies that affect their future.

The programme will culminate in the adoption of an immediate action plan, including orientation and leadership training for members, the development of an annual work plan, the scheduling of parliamentary sittings, the selection of principal officers and parliamentarians, and collaboration with the Rivers State House of Assembly to strengthen children’s participation in governance.

The event is expected to mark a significant step towards institutionalising children’s participation in governance and further demonstrate the Rivers State Government’s commitment to promoting and protecting the rights, welfare and holistic development of every child in the state.

• Igbiks is the Information/Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation.