BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR, NOVEMBER 04, 2025 | 08:03 PM
The Borno State Children’s Parliament has called on the state government to ban the use of harmful herbal substances among children and address other pressing issues affecting young people across the state.
The call was made during a two-day parliamentary sitting held on Monday & Tuesday at the Borno State House of Assembly, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the State House of Assembly.
House Leader Mubarak Hassan AlKali, member representing Maiduguri Metropolitan constituency, moved a motion on the need to curb the use of traditional harmful herbs among school children.
He said studies have shown that between 20% and 40% of students misuse herbal substances known as ‘Gumm,’ believing them to be safe.
‘It is harmful and can destroy their future,’ Mubarak said.
He explained that many children fall into drug use due to peer pressure or curiosity.
‘Sometimes they just use it to fit in,’ he said. ‘After the experiment, it becomes an addiction, and they continue without knowing the health risk because it damages their organs and can cause death.’
He urged the state government to take immediate action to ban ‘Gumm’ and launch awareness campaigns in schools and communities to protect young people from its dangers.
Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Umar, member representing Shani constituency, raised a motion on promoting a ‘Back-to-School Campaign’ across the state.
He said the campaign would help reduce the growing number of out-of-school children and support education in conflict-affected areas.
‘I decided to speak out on the need to promote back-to-school campaigns,’ he said. ‘If this motion is implemented, we can track whether the number of out-of-school children decreases in the coming years.’
He also supported the motion against drug misuse, stressing that most herbal substances used by children are not approved by NAFDAC and pose serious health risks.
Chairperson on Interparliamentary Relations Safiya Alkali Aji Kolo, member representing Jere constituency, presented a motion titled Children’s Voices for Change: Advancing the Nigerian Call for Action.
She called for the adoption of the Nigerian Call for Action as a legal framework to protect children and rehabilitate those who have been victims of recruitment into violent activities.
‘I appealed for the rehabilitation, reintegration, and recovery of those children,’ she said. ‘The motion was debated in the House and the House agreed to it.’
Speaker Fatima Chiroma Zanna, member representing Marte federal constituency, praised the members for their meaningful contributions and described the motions as vital to improving child welfare and education in the state.
‘These motions are important to ensure children’s protection in schools and communities,’ she said.
Bawa Gana Kyari from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Social Development, who coordinated the program, commended the performance of the young parliamentarians and thanked UNODC for its support.
‘The program is very successful, and our children have performed well,’ Kyari said. ‘We are advocating for the government and philanthropists to support this kind of activity to empower children and encourage them to go back to school.’
He said the Ministry remains committed to promoting child rights and ensuring that children are protected from abuse, drug misuse, and neglect.
The parliament resolved to continue pushing for government action to ban harmful herbs, promote education, and strengthen child protection laws in Borno State.