…as Speaker Abbas urges tougher action on bullying, child labour
By Gloria Ikibah
To mark this year’s Children’s Day, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, stepped aside and gave his seat to a secondary school student who acted as “Shadow Speaker” during a special session in the chamber. 
This marks the second time Speaker Abbas has handed over his seat to a young Nigerian. The first was in October 2024, when Isabel Anani, a 16-year-old girl-child advocate, took the Speaker’s chair in recognition of the International Day of the Girl Child.
On Tuesday, it was the turn of Lawal Haruna Saliu, a student of Government Secondary School, Kuje, who presided over a symbolic 15-minute session. Clearly thrilled, Saliu expressed gratitude to the Speaker and said it was an unforgettable moment for him.
This year’s Children’s Day carries the theme: “Stand Up, Speak Up: Building a Bullying-Free Generation.”
During the special session, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, moved a motion urging stronger support for children’s welfare.
The House adopted the motion and called on the Federal Government to boost investment in children’s education, healthcare, and digital access—especially in rural areas. Lawmakers also stressed the need to review the Child Rights Act.
They further called on the Ministry of Education to promote digital literacy and asked the National Assembly to fast-track the proposed bill to establish a National Child Rights Protection and Enforcement Agency.
The House directed its relevant committees to ensure follow-up and compliance.
Later in the day, Speaker Abbas met with students from ten FCT schools—six public and four private—for an interactive session. He highlighted the importance of protecting children from bullying, both online and in schools, and called for stricter enforcement of laws against child labour and trafficking.
He reminded relevant agencies at all levels that it is their duty to act, not just talk, in protecting the nation’s children.
“There are laws against bullying in schools and the schools’ authorities must take advantage of same to protect those who speak out. If actions are not taken by the schools, the matter should be escalated to parents and relevant security agencies. The government stands against bullying and victims should learn to speak out more to curb it.
“It also behooves on the relevant agencies to implement and enforce the laws against child labour and trafficking in Nigeria. Nigerians have the habit of keeping quiet when they see people violating laws, almost everyone knows one or two underage children working as domestic servants either in their homes or their neighbours”, Speaker Abbas said.
He also called on Nigerians relocating outside the country to have a rethink, as things are not that rosy elsewhere.
The Speaker noted that with the policies of the current administration and the gains being recorded, the expansion of the private sector participation to create more jobs is imminent. He, therefore, urged the youth to take advantage of the government’s policies.
The 10 schools invited for the session with the Speaker were GSS, Bwari; GGSS, Abaji; GSS, Kwali; GSS, Gwagwalada; GSS, Kagini; GSS, Kuje; Kingsville School, Jabi; Africa Community School, Asokoro; International Community School, Jabi, and Britarch School, Lugbe.
