Day: October 28, 2023

Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to holistically address child marriages as reports reveal that there are 23 million child-brides in Nigeria.

The report titled “Budgeting to End Child Marriage in Nigeria’ was launched by the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye at a Girls led conference organised by SCI in Abuja.

The SCI report showed that Northern Nigeria, recorded the highest number of child-brides, as 48 per cent of women are married before age 15, while 78 per cent are married before age 18,.

The report also showed that adequate funding is required at all levels of government to effectively and sustainably curb the menace that endangers the future of the girl-child.

The report further revealed that child marriage is both a cause and consequence of adolescent pregnancy and is linked to maternal mortality, poor education, ongoing exposure to gender based violence, illiteracy and intergenerational poverty, and this threatens girls right and gender equality.

“With a population of more than 218 million people, Nigeria is home to 23 million child brides, with two in every five women married as children.”

The report called on the government to upscale funding to protect the girl-child, ensuring they remained unmarried and are in school, and also build more classrooms and schools to accommodate more girls, hence the need to increase the budget to end child marriage.

It also called for the need to establish technical working groups to end child marriage; Put together advocacy groups to keep track of financial releases and allocations at the State level.

It also called for the implementation of the Nigerian Government’s Generation Equally commitments with a strong focus on child marriage and reform to enable more effective budget allocation.

The Women Affairs called for a collaborative effort towards addressing the plight of the girl-child in Nigeria and empower them with girls to be self reliant.

UKennedy-Ohanenye said that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, approved the establishment of mobile court to trial child abusers based on the Child Rights Act, CRA, in all the states.

She added that children would be well protected as there would be the prosecution of offenders including parents who a support abuses, violation of children’s rights among others.

She also called on States to work with the Federal Government to curb the menace of child marriage.

The minister said that She said there is need for young girls to learn skills so as not to depend on others.

“On our part, we will continue to support women and girls. We will champion various advocacies to put an end to these challenges.

“We are working closely with other stakeholders to ensure success in that area,this is the time for action and less talk; I urge teachers to be close to their students so as to know their challenges.”

The Interim Country Director, SCI, Nigeria, Faton Krasniqi, said that it was important to budget child rights agenda to protect children’s future and their rights.

Represented by the Director of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communication and Media, Amanuel Mamo, Krasniqi said that child marriage erodes and dries the future of girls, their dreams and hope in life.

“One of the girls who unfortunately end up in early, child and forced marriage could possibly be someone who invents and have a solution for some of the major challenges that the world is facing today.

“There are some bold measures that the Federal and State governments have taken to advance child rights in Nigeria.

The National Strategy to End Child Marriage (2016-21)is among the major tools that the Federal

Ministry of Women Affairs has been championing.

“The creation of National Technical Working Group on Ending Child Marriage also brought coalition of stakeholders from the government, CSOs and INGOs with an intention to drive the implementation the strategy.”

Krasniqi said that existing laws, strategies and plans could only be fulfilled if it was budgeted for ,adding that the findings of the research called for the need to allocate adequate financial resources to tackle the underlying causes of child marriage.

He added that the study identified bottlenecks and provides recommendations on what should be addressed to accelerate the fight against early, child and forced marriage.

Also speaking , Miss Shamiga Rita, a Girl Champion of SCI Nigeria from Benue called for intervention to safeguard the future of the girl-child against child marriage.

Also speaking , Miss Shamiga Rita, a Girl Champion of SCI Nigeria from Benue called for intervention to safeguard the future of the girl-child against child marriage.

“The issue of child marriage is very worrisome and challenging because it cuts the girls’ lives short and hinders them from achieving their dreams and aspirations including full potential.

“Government need to implement the child rights law, and we need actions, budgeting and planning should be children inclusive.

“We also need sensitization, and we also advocate for child’s right, and parents need sensitisation.

We want change, and if the girl-child is denied her right how can we have this change?”, Rita who was a one-day governor of Benue said.

Contributing, the Katsina State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zainab Musa, who represented the First Lady of Katsina,Hajiya Zulaihat Radda said the challenge of child marriage was worrisome .

“Our plan of action is to take back budgeting proposal as shown by SCI Nigeria and ensure it is practised in order to end child marriage in the state.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new leadership for the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

The team is subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja, said that Prof. Tunji Olaopa would chair the leadership.

He named the members to include Mr Daudu Jalo, representing Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba States and Ms Gekpe Grace Isu, member representing Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

Others are Dr Chamberlain Nwele representing Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu Sates, while Mr Rufus Godwins will represent Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States.

Dr Adamu Husseini will represent Niger and FCT, Mr Aminu Nabegu, Jigawa and Kano States, while Ms Hindatu Abdullahi will represent Kaduna and Katsina States.

Others include Mr Shehu Aliyu, member representing Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, while Ms Odekunle Aduke will represent Kogi and Kwara States.

Mr Jide Jimoh is appointed to represent Lagos and Ogun States while Dr. Festus Oyebade will represent Osun and Oyo.

“Upon confirmation, the new FCSC leadership is expected to commence work with effect from Nov. 30, 2023 as the tenure of the current leadership Chairman and membership expires Nov. 29.

“The President anticipates that the new FCSC leadership will competently facilitate the transformation, reorientation and digitisation of the federal bureaucracy.

“This will enable, and not stifle, growth and enhanced private sector participation in the development of the Nigerian economy, in full adherence to the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Kwara Government has felicitated 36 brides who were joined to their grooms at the Awon mass wedding festival in Shao, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Awon mass wedding festival is a yearly cultural festival celebrating women of marriageable age who are joined to their spouses in large number simultaneously.

Some participants at the event

Speaking at the occasion in Shao on Friday, Bolanle Olukoju, the state Commissioner for Communications, who represented the Kwara Government, expressed delight at the gathering.

“Today is a great occasion and we give glory to the Almighty God as we gather to celebrate the annual Awon mass wedding in Shao.

“This event, which brings together the community’s sons and daughters, has gained widespread recognition, attracting people from all corners of the state and country.

” It serves as a testament to the diverse and vibrant cultural heritage of Kwara State,” she said.

She also congratulated the people of Shao on the coronation of Oba Job Atolagbe as the new Ohoro of Shao.

She said the administration remained committed to the preservation, sustenance and promotion of the state’s rich cultural heritage such as Ilorin Emirate Durbar, Patigi Regatta and Ganni festival.

The commissioner expressed the ministry’s ” profound appreciation to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his unwavering support and dedication toward the support and promotion of various cultural festivals across the 16 local Governments Areas of the state. ”

Also speaking to NAN on the sidelines of the event, Abel Adewole, the Chairman of Shao Cultural Committee, said the wedding festival provides an opportunity to showcase the community to visiting dignitaries.

“ The 2023 Awon Mass Wedding is as remarkable as any other yearly event as it is a festival that the people of Shao are proud of because it has to do with our cultural heritage.

“We are proud of our heritage because every Shao indigene looks forward to it as it is a period when all sons and daughters of Shao from every part of the country meet.

“We discuss the shortcomings of the previous year and the development for the incoming year.

” We are trying as much as possible to get more sponsors just like in the past when MTN sponsored the event, donating new umbrellas to the brides together with other items.

” The present government is interested in promoting cultural heritage.

” Consider the presence of the people in government here like the Speaker of House of Assembly, Danladi Saliu, and some lawmakers, the Commissioner for Communication and other dignitaries.

” We normally give the brides incentives, empower them with things like sewing machines, hair driers, grinding machines and other equipment to appreciate them after the wedding.

” This is to make our daughters have a source of income on getting married,” he said.

One of the brides and mother of one, Ayoola Olaitan, said she was happy to be married, adding that all wishes come alive on wedding day.

“I am a Muslim but I decided to marry through Awon wedding because I don’t want to forget Shao customs and tradition coupled with the fact that all prayers are answered on wedding day.

“We, however, want government to assist us in Shao community and provide for our needs as well as empower brides who undertake Awon wedding,” the 32-year-old said.

Another bride, Omolayo Gbenga, said that she was very happy to be among the celebrated brides after many years of waiting.

The mother of four said: “My first born is 14 years old and I have four children with the same husband I am getting married to today.

“Brides usually get different gifts after the Awon wedding like money and vocational equipment depending on area of specialisation.

“We call on corporate organisations to continue to sponsor this event, ” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria