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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu, the Emir of Agaie in Niger state, has saved two daughters from their parents’ plans to force them into early marriage.
Emir Nuhu made the announcement to journalists shortly after a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) sensitization campaign in Niger state’s Agaie Local Government Area on Saturday.
The girls are currently in Nuhu’s care, and he has refused to release them to their parents unless they allow the girls to marry men of their choice.
“I preach against early and forced marriage here in my emirate, and I presently have two girls in my custody whose parents tried to compel them to marry guys they didn’t love.”
“I will not release the girls until their parents agree to let them marry the men they love.” This is because, if they are forced into marriage, they may not be able to live peacefully as husbands and wife as a result of a lack of love.
“As parents, we must learn to respect our children’s choices, and we have been preaching on that, which is yielding results to some level,” he said.
He described the campaign as “crucial and relevant,” as it would complement the council’s efforts to educate residents about child abuse, early marriage, and domestic violence.
Hajiya Mairo Mann, Chairperson of the state GBV Advocacy Committee, has earlier encouraged parents to speak up about violence against them and their children in order to obtain justice.
She explained that the goal of the awareness campaign was to inform and educate parents and children about GBV and the appropriate procedures to take in such a case.
Mann recommended parents and guardians to fulfill their responsibilities by teaching their children proper behavior and monitoring their children’s peer groups.
Additionally, Malam Mustapha Yunusa, Director of Child Development in the state Ministry of Women Affairs, stated that the purpose of the sensitization was to educate parents on how to respond to and prevent GBV, including what to do to support victims with medical and financial assistance.
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Hajiya Tallatu Ekawu, the Council’s Officer in Charge of Women Development, praised the committee for bringing the sensitization campaign to the area, saying it had broadened their understanding and opened their eyes to what GBV is all about. (NAN)
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