Bulus Dabit, the Director of the National Orientation Agency in Plateau State, says girls that marry below the age of 18 are vulnerable to Vesico-Vaginal Fistula.
Dabit spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Jos on the sidelines of a forum to commemorate the Day of the African Child marked on June 16 every year.
Dabit said that VVF, an ailment usually associated with early marriage, is caused by obstructed labour resulting in uncontrollable leaking of urine through the vagina.
The director said in spite of the Plateau State Child Rights Law, which prohibits marriage of under 18, females were still being given out in marriage against their will.
He said no religion preaches against patience, urging all possible suitors to be patient for the females to be nurtured and ready for their roles and responsibilities.
He said: “The law of the land should supercede any law based on primordial loyalties.
“Moreover, a female needs to be mature before she functions appropriately in her home and the society.”
Dabit said the society must reflect on the Day of the African Child by ensuring that child marriage was abolished.
The director, who also warned against using children as soldiers and drug traffickers, said: “Posterity depends on the quality of children we are raising.”
Felix Adawana, the state’s Solicitor General, said Part 1, Section 2 of the Plateau State Child Rights Law stipulates: “A child means a person who is below the age of 18 years.
“The Plateau State Child Rights Law enacted in 2005 is to ensure that children are protected from any exploitative labour, engagement in criminal activities, hawking and prostitution among other issues.”
Adawana said the state government also has child-friendly units in the state police command where minors are remanded after being taken to a court of law.
The solicitor general said the state had been working toward establishing family courts, which would deliberate on issues regarding minors instead of taking them to regular courts.
This year’s theme is: “25 years after the adoption of the African Children’s Charter: Accelerating Collective Efforts to end Child Marriage in Africa.”
NAN