Kwara State Vows to Combat Early Marriage Through Partnership with National Coalition
The Kwara State Government has pledged to safeguard the girl child from early marriage, partnering with the National Coalition of Civil Society to End Child Marriage in Nigeria to advance this objective.
Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi made this commitment during a meeting in Ilorin, the state capital, with representatives of the coalition. Speaking to LEADERSHIP , he stressed the urgent need to protect young girls from child marriage, highlighting its detrimental impact on their mental health, education, and long-term prospects.
The collaboration aims to raise awareness, advocate for policy reforms, and provide support systems to deter the practice, which remains a significant challenge in many communities. Deputy Governor Alabi reiterated the administration's resolve to prioritise the welfare and empowerment of girls, ensuring they have the opportunity to pursue education and realise their potential.
“Those below 18 cannot survive marriage because it requires compromise and commitment, and this is for better, for worse. The girls lose their vision, and we need to protect our girls from early marriage,” he said.
Alabi also emphasised the importance of implementing laws to curb such practices while assuring his visitors of partnership through the Ministry of Social Development.
He assured the state government would continue implementing progressive measures to safeguard the girls.
Earlier, the national co-chair of the coalition, Mr Kolawole Olatosimi, had commended the state government for its proactive efforts in enforcing girl-child protection policies.
Olatosimi described Kwara as one of the leading states implementing such initiatives and urged the government to strengthen legal protections for those at risk and victims of child marriage.
He appealed for a budget release to fund initiatives for girl children to empower them in their education and skills acquisition.
He pledged the coalition's support for government initiatives to improve the lives of women and girls.
Olatosimi later presented a policy report and analysis on girl-child protection for the government's consideration.
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Lateef Ademola Olatunji Toyin Olayinka Tejidini Academic Staff Union Of Universities Dairo Kunle Paul Agor Market Muhammadu Gobir Ahmed Ayinla Jimoh Jimoh Saadudeen Muhammed SGBN Opaleke Bukola Iyabo Fatimoh Lawal Justina Oha Ahmed Idris Mohammed Aliyu Sabi Saba Mamman Daniel Sun Qing Rong Centre For Community Empowerment And Poverty Eradication Split Diamond Interchange Babatunde Idiagbon Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede Adekunle David Dunmade Afolabi-Oshatimehin Kolawole Bashirat Mike Omotosho Sabi Sheikh Ridhwanullah El-ilory Ibraheem Adeola Katibi Yusuf Ali Vasolar-Kwara Company Ltd Baboko Primary School Kwara 2023 Ministry Of Women Affairs And Social Development Yahaya A Paniyaro Yakubu Shaaba Kanu Agabi Aremu Odolaye Abdul-Rahoof Bello Ogidi-Oloje Maryam Nurudeen Musa Ayinla Yeketi Sa\'adu Gambari Sunday Popo-Ola Balogun-Ojomu Isiaka Rafiu Mope Saad Omo Iya Tunde Akanbi Ilorin South Constituency Salake Arinola Lawal Funmi Salau SWAN Budo Egba Standard Organization Of Nigeria Galadima ITEM 7 Aishat Sulu-Gambari Bibire Ajape Shehu Salau Muslimah Entrepreneurship Forum Taofik Abdulkareem Babaita Alagbado Ajia-Bako Olumide Daniel Ibitoye ANCOPPS Plat Technologies Limited Idofin Olusola Saraki Abdulsalam Firdaous Amosa Samuel Adedoyin Mustapha Akanbi Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye Dele Belgore Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists Trade Lenda SME Fair Saadu Yusuf Yekeen Alabi Ibrahim Orire

