By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The National Coalition of Civil Society to End Child Marriage in Nigeria in collaboration with the Kwara Government have pledged to protect the girl-child against early marriage.
Mr. Kayode Alabi, the Kwara State Deputy Governor made the pledge on Thursday in Ilorin when members of the Coalition paid him a visit.
Alabi, who emphasised the urgent need to protect young girls from child marriage, cited its harmful effects on their mental health and future aspirations.
“Those below 18 cannot survive marriage because it requires compromise and commitment and this is for better, for worse.
“The girls loose their vision, we need to protect our girls from early marriage,” he said.
Alabi also emphasized the importance of implementation of laws to curb such practices, while assuring of partnership with the state government through ministry of Social Development.
He assured that the administration would continue to implement progressive measures to safeguard girls.
Earlier in his address, the National Co-chair of the Coalition Mr Kolawole Olatosimi, commended the state government for the proactive efforts in enforcing girl-child protection policies.
Olatosimi described Kwara as one of the leading states in implementing such initiatives and urged the government to strengthen legal protections to those at risk and victims of child marriage.
According to him, the organization is a global partnership to end child marriage with 110 membership.
Olatosimi appealed for a budget release to fund girl child initiatives that will empower them in their education and skills acquisition.
He pledged the coalition’s support for government initiatives, aimed at improving the lives of women and
girls.
The delegation presented a policy report and analysis on girl-child protection for the government’s consideration.
