Children Parliament cries out to Obi

 

Speaker, Anambra State Children’s Parliament, Uchime Ken Michael yesterday appealed to Governor Peter Obi to intervene in the financial constraints facing the Parliament.

In an address presented during the 2013 Children Christmas Party organized by the wife of Anambra state Governor’s wife , Mrs. Margaret Peter-Obi in collaboration the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uchime said non support is crippling the parliament.

Uchime’s address read thus,  ‘’Your Excellency, Sir, we were made to know that Anambra State Government provides little or no funds for the parliament and almost all funds are sourced from private purses of our directorates. We pray you forgive our members we only tried to demonstrate how impressionable and vulnerable we are as child parliamentarians. We children regret to say that we have a single story of non-support, negligence and laxity towards our affairs which reverse would have been the case.

‘’We know our dynamic governor is child friendly, we plead that despite your meritorious efforts and numerous schedules you please grant the following:   An audience with you for almost 3 years of this current parliament we have been denied access to you. Support and implement the resolutions, proposal of Yearly Activities, produce an official ID card, website, letter head paper, an office room in the secretariat to conduct meetings and sittings.  Host the Traditional ANambra Chilren’s Parliament Induction.  Provide the Anambra State Children’s Parliament with a Bus to ease transportation problems and its risks. Finally support our 2014 2^nd Edition of the VOICE MAGAZINE that has suffered neglect.

The Speaker of Children Parliament further stated that, ‘’we know sincerely that our governor, Mr. Peter Obi (CON) is child friendly governor no wonder he quotes “the children we abuse today will take revenge on us tomorrow.” There should be a mental shift in our perception of government. Truly the future is bright if only it is created. Words of Mouth cannot express your Excellency for your patience, love, care and concern once again forgive our manners we tried to express how we feel.

‘’Imagine the possibility of an Anambra where the Children’s Parliament is not ceremonial. A State where there is available funds and judiciously it get to the parliament. A state where we do not need to bear the cost of running the children’s parliament. Imagine the possibility of paradise in our beloved State Anambra. Imagine, just imagine…

‘’Today is a day the Government of Anambra State set aside to celebrate natures gift (children) whom are the future leaders of tomorrow. The vulnerable, poor and children of special needs are all here today. Indeed this day set aside by our State Government is very special to us children all over the state.

‘’It is my sincere and humble wish to thank our Most Child Friendly, ever loving Governor, His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi (Okwute) and His dear wife Mrs Margret Peter Obi for their continued support and commitment to Anambra Children. Mr. Governor be rest assured that we are very much proud of you and promise to continue to be good ambassadors of the state as a means of reciprocating your good gestures.

‘’Your Excellency you were the first governor in the south east to: Sponsor a speaker of Children’s Parliament as a candidate to witness the maiden flight from Enugu-Addis Ababa. Distribute Laptops to State Parliamentarians.  Pass the Child’s Right Act into law. Constitute a Family Court.  Host Regular August Children’s Holiday Camp. Etc. For all these and many more we say thank you immensely.

‘’Children are great leaders of tomorrow and providing a platform to contribute to state issues would aid to explore the hidden potentials/treasure of Anambra Children. This is why the Federal Government instituted the children’s Parliament.

‘’Mr. Governor Sir, it may interest you to know that we occupy the Chief whip position at the National Children’s Parliament, Abuja. The State Children’s parliament has been vibrant with respect to its environment we have carried advocacy campaign of Child’s Right to rural school, periodically write articles at Fides Newspaper, Deliberated extensively and produced resolutions etc.

‘’Able Governor Sir, the truth must be told, the Activities of the Anambra State Children’s Parliament is a disheartening one as Students we Finance almost every programme of the parliament even our transportation to Abuja for parliamentary activities. States like Kano, Ekiti, Abia, Imo etc are fully sponsored by their state governments. Typing of our document, communications to members are all sourced from the pocket of our parents.

‘’Silence is a crime against injustice and corruption, it makes no sense if we solicit for Children’s Right when we as Child Parliamentarians are denied of our parliamentary rights and as such we must SPEAK OUT LOUD because we know things will definitely change when His Excellency Personally knows about our lamentations.

‘’Whenever there is a parliamentary activity it’s always a nightmare for us because we know how unserious the programme is taken by the directorates of Anambra State Children’s Parliament, as such most members fail to attend programme because of the funds to sponsor themselves. We sacrifice our study time for the parliament only to see our initiative aborted. The 2^nd Edition of the VOICE MAGAZINE is witnessing zero support, it failed to be published in children’s day and we fear its publication next year. We honestly appreciate our mother the Hon. Commissioner we had complained to her. Her motherly advice love and care can’t be over emphasized Ma, we appreciate your concern towards us but we solicit for a better parliament.