By Ben Adoga
A Nigerian-based non-governmental organization, Helpline Foundation for the Needy and Traditional Rulers Wives Association is currently collaborating to rescue girls from early marriage.
Already, the partnership has led to the rescue of two minors from early marriage in Karu, Abuja.
Coordinator of the Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers in FCT, Amb. Gimbiya Hannatu Usman Nda Kupi’ who led some journalists to the shanty where the minor lives said rescuing the girl child from early marriage was their mandate
Amb. Nda Kupi’, who is the wife of the Chief of Garki, Dr. Usman Nda Kupi’ disclosed that her organization got to know about the planned early marriage following a tip-off from a teacher within the community who contacted the President of the Helpline Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu.
Revealing that her Association, in conjunction with Helpline Foundation for the Needy Abuja, ensured the rescue of many girls in similar practices.
Naima Dauda, 14, is currently in Primary two in a public school, but her father, Dauda Adama, was bent on giving her out in marriage, citing poverty as the compelling reason for forcing Naima to marry a 45-year old scavenger (Baban Bola) and a husband of two wives.
Adama, an indigene of Sokoto State who moved to Abuja a decade ago revealed that he has two wives and six children and Naima’s mother was no more with him.
According to him, poverty was the major reason that left his family with no alternative but to arrange an early marriage for his daughter Naima to a scavenger who has already paid the bride price.
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While speaking to newsmen, Naima expressed gratitude to the two Abuja-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for coming to her rescue, decrying that the marriage was against her wish, even as she stated her preference to complete her primary education and proceed to higher levels.
Similarly, 15-year old Sadika Danjuma, who is in primary three, same school as Naima, also spoke against her early marriage.
Sadika, unlike Naima, who managed to speak the English language, noted that education was key to and important, adding that her wish was to get food and higher education to enable her to take care of her young ones.
