Result-Driven Advocacy: Children’s Parliament, YOSPIS, SIDES Engage with Kano State Commissioner for Women, Children, and Disabled Affairs

Balarabe Musa, Kano Nigeria.

On 12th November, 2024, a productive advocacy visit was held by the Children’s Parliament of Kano State, led by the Speaker, Hauwa Muhammad, to the Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs, Children & Disable. Hon Aisha Lawal Saji . This significant meeting was made possible through the collaboration of the Kano Children’s Parliament, Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases & Social Vices (YOSPIS) and Sufi Innovation and Development Solutions (SIDES).

The Honourable Commissioner took time to provide a detailed update on the ministry’s ongoing initiatives and achievements in improving the lives of women, children, and persons with special needs across the state. These activities include rehabilitation and renovation of centers, supporting VVF patients, supporting orphanage and destitute home of Tudun Maliki, training and equipping women with seed funding for business and more across Kano. This is in addition to organizing 1st October celebrations with Nassarawa home children and governor to mention but few.

Highlighting the ministry’s key contributions, the Commissioner emphasized the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in spearheading programs focused on health, empowerment, and humanitarian aid aimed at fostering inclusive development and supporting marginalized communities.

Updates from the Children’s Parliament

During the meeting, Hauwa Muhammad, Speaker of the Children’s Parliament, presented an update on the parliament’s activities, showcasing its efforts in advocating for the rights of children, promoting education, and engaging young people in leadership and governance.

Some of the activities conducted include attended various training on leadership, held meeting with other team members, support enrollment of children into Abba Care Health Insurance programs for vulnerable sicklers and speaker presentations at various events.

The parliament also made requests for continued support and deeper partnership to enhance its capacity in driving child-centric policies and advocacy. These include office space, strategic partnerships, and more robust initiatives that can further improve the welfare of children and youth across the state.

Support from SIDES and YOSPIS

Dr. Musa Abdullahi Sufi, Founder of SIDES, took the floor to highlight the role his organization plays in supporting the work of the Children’s Parliament. Dr. Sufi reiterated SIDES’ commitment to strengthening media strrategies and outreach, conduct leadership training, and building problem-solving skills to ministry staff and others. He emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships that can sustain impactful programs in the long run and linking up with other organizations for more support to ministry.

Zainab Nasir, Executive Director of YOSPIS, further reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to the ongoing partnership with the Ministry and other stakeholders. She confirmed that YOSPIS will continue to work closely with the Children’s Parliament and SIDES to explore and link more opportunities for greater collaboration. Nasir spoke on the importance of collective efforts and how strategic partnerships could amplify the positive impact of their work for women, children, and people with special needs.

A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Impact

The meeting also saw the presence of other key figures, from the ministry include parmanent secretary Alh Muttaka iliyasu Yakasai, Malam Yakubu Muhammad Director Planning Research and Statistics at the Ministry, Director Child Hauwa Musa Sulaiman, Mubarak member YOSPIS, alongside other ministry officials. Their presence underscored the significance of inter-agency collaboration and the commitment to work together for a better future for Kano’s women, children, and special needs community.

In conclusion, the advocacy visit provided a platform for open dialogue, shared goals, and a clear roadmap for continued collaboration. Both the Ministry and the partners expressed optimism about the future and the positive changes that will continue to unfold through their joint efforts. The collective ambition is to ensure that the government’s programs and the support from partner organizations are effectively aligned to foster an inclusive, healthy, and prosperous society for all.

This visit serves as a reminder of the power of partnership in driving sustainable development and advocacy for the most vulnerable groups in our society.