No to Child Marriage

Much has been said on the child marriage bill. I just want to point our minds to certain facts

Firstly, the health risks of child marriage.

I read an article in 2002 on "The menace of VVF in Nigeria by Fayoyin . A".  I did not grasp its meaning till I served in Maiduguri in 2008 and saw numerous beautiful young girls (between ages 11 and 15) with this condition which they came about during forced sexual act or child birth.

I tell you the truth. No sane human being will encourage sex among young ones of this age let alone child marriage after such an experience.

I indulge anyone in support of this act of cowardice to conduct a research on the causes and prevalence of VVF in Nigeria.

Secondly, The developmental cycle of every child be it male or female is in stages from infant-hood to adolescent/teenager to adulthood and each stage comes with its own characteristics and training. If we agree that it is insane to encourage a male child into marriage at age 11 - 15years when, except in rare cases, he is not aware of certain differences between himself and a lady, why would one encourage such in the girl child?

No matter how rapid a girl child's growth is, at age 11 - 15years she is not equipped with both the emotional, physical and mental ability to perform the duties of a wife. Please note that the duties of a wife is not only restricted to opening her legs at night for God's sake!

Child marriage is unjust and wicked in all ramification because i believe strongly that most men who are in support of such an act is doing so to get a wife who they can dominate, enslave and ultimately condemn into a life of widowhood at the prime of their life.

Calculate how many years Yerima has to spend on earth and equate it with the age of his last wife. The deduction is simple She will spend the better part of her life a widow!

In conclusion, It is medically proven that various aspects of the child needs to mature and be prepared for certain roles in life.

If we cannot allow the male child to take a wife till he can provide for his family, then it is only reasonable to allow the girl child mature into a lady and acquire both the mental, physical and emotional skills required to make a home.

If we cannot plant before the first rain or harvest our crops till they are mature and ripe, then there is no justifiable logic and reason that supports the marriage or giving out in marriage of a naive, immature and developing child. Even lower animals knows this.