Yenagoa, Dec. 30, 2023 – The Bayelsa State Government has described a marriage between a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in the state as repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.
The traditional marriage was held in Akeddei community in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
The state Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Development and the State Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) have expressed concern over the marriage which was based on tradition and customs.
Panebi Jacob, the Director of Child Development in the ministry, and Dr Dise Ogbise-Goddy Harry, the Head of the state Human Rights Commission, said in a statement on Saturday that the traditional ruler of Akeddei community had promised to produce the child, her parents, the 54-year-old man and the youth leader and the chairman of the Community Development Committee, CDC.
The ministry, in a statement on Saturday, said the Bayelsa State Government would not support child marriage under any guise.
“That is why the state government did not hesitate to assent to the passage of the Bayelsa State Child Rights Law.
“We are taking steps to rescue the child from all the key actors in relation to this illegal ceremony that they tagged a ‘mere spiritual affair’.
“The law is clear on issues of tradition and customs that are repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and working with the Bayelsa State police command, we shall ensure incidents like this do not occur in the state again.
“On behalf of the Governor of Bayelsa State, we express our gratitude to all the non-governmental organisations including FIDA and DO Foundation that have risen to the rescue of this innocent child.
“Bayelsa State is children-friendly and this case will be pursued to a logical conclusion,” it said. (GBN)
