Early girl-child marriage is dangerous ― Emir of Bauchi

Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu has stressed that the practice of early and compulsory marriage of the girl-child by parents pose danger to her future just as he warned against such by parents.

Dr Riwanu Suleiman Adamu also counselled parents to stop forcing girl-child into streets hawking under the pretext of boosting their economic status, stressing that such an act is detrimental to the proper upbringing of girls in the society.

The Emir was speaking at the graduation ceremony of 448 girls who were trained on life support skills focusing on letting the girls realise their self worth and esteem, organised by the Bauchi state chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), FAHIMTA, and Gild is Gold (CIGF) held during the weekend at Government Girls College, Bauchi.

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The Emir who was represented at the occasion by the Dan-Isan Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Yakubu 111, also called on parents to enrol their children, especially the girl-child into schools, saying that educating a woman is educating the society.

While commending organisers of the life skills training, the Emir urged participants of the course drawn from seven LGAs of Bauchi, Dass, Jama’are, Toro, Ganjuwa, Katagum and Warji to make the best use of what they have learnt in their respective communities.

Nigeria County Director of MEDA, a Canadian support organisation, Mr Chom Babu noted that Nigeria’s problems need solutions by fellow Nigerians, hence the need for all hands to be on deck to salvage the country from social malice.

Chom Babu, who outlined the importance of life skills training, expressed confidence that the Bauchi community will immensely benefit from the MEDA programmes.

Bauchi state FOMWAN chairperson, Hajiya Fatsuma Aminu Mohammed had in a welcome address noted that the training will prepare participants for the challenges of gender roles within their communities.

The training, according to her, will also sharpen the participant’s financial literacy to prudence in life and appreciate the role of education as a tool for self-reliance.