FG reiterates commitment to end early marriage

Bothered with the growing trend of early marriage across the length and breadth of the nation, the Federal Government of Nigeria has renewed its resolved to put an end to the scourge of early marriages which has eaten deep into the fabric of African societies.

Our Kogi State Correspondent reports that the Hon. Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan gave the hint on an advocacy visit to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

She stated that the Vice President of the Federation had launched an initiative of her Ministry to end early marriages, but the support of States is needed to ensure the campaign is successful.

According to her, for a country which accounts for 2% of the world's population, it is disheartening that Nigeria contributes 10% to global maternal mortality and morbidity. This according to her must come to an end.

The Minister at the visit also advocated for the State to domesticate the Child Rights and the Violence against Persons Acts as well as establishment of Women Development Center in Kogi State.

She said “the women are the pillar of any society, hence am admonishing the State Government to create an empowerment programme targeted at women. I must commend the social development programme of the government especially those Persons Living with Disabilities”

The Minister commended Governor Bello for appointing women into very strategic positions expressing her reservations that it would encourage other governors to emulate their Kogi State counterpart. She expressed confident that the women in Kogi State government would not disappoint the generality of Kogi women in particular and Nigerian women in general.

In a swift response, the Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello thanked Senator Aisha Alhassan, assuring her of his government commitment for the campaign to end early marriage.

Describing himself as a gender sensitive governor who believes strongly in women empowerment not just as a Governor but as an individual who experienced firsthand the many sacrifices women make to raise children especially in the absence of their father, he promised to empower women in the State to contribute significantly to nation building.

"The appointment of women into strategic positions in this government is just one way of expressing confidence in the ability of women to discharge their duties with utmost sense of responsibility. Rosemary Ojochenemi Osikoya, the Commissioner for Environment, is a shining example in this regard. The State capital during my inauguration was a huge dustbin. The story is different today owing to the work of the Commissioner" Bello added.

On some of the issues raised by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, the governor however directed the SSG to work with the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to domesticate Acts that are relevant to improving the welfare of Women and Children in the State. He also affirmed his commitment to the establishment of Women Development Center in the State as well as encourages Local Government Areas in the State to do same.

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