By Stanley Onyekwere
The Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers in FCT in collaboration with the Helpline Foundation for the Needy Abuja have rescued two minors from early marriage in Karu, a border community, in Nasarawa state, near Abuja.
It was gathered that Naima Dauda, 14, is presently in Primary two in a public school, but her father, Dauda Adama, was bent on her out in marriage, citing poverty as a compelling excuse for forcing Naima to marry a 45-year old scavenger (bola) and a husband of two wives.
Similarly, the two NGOs also intervened in another case of a early marriage of Naima’s niece, Sadika who was been lined up for marriage just after Naima.
For the 15-year old Sadika Danjuma, who is in primary three, same school with Naima, also spoke against her early marriage.
Their rescue, was pursuant to a tip off from a teacher within the community who contacted President of the Helpline Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, about the planned early marriage.
While speaking to newsmen, Naima expressed gratitude to the two Abuja-based non-governmental organizations (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.
Sadika, unlike Naima, who managed to speak English language, noted that education was key to and important, adding that her wish was to get food and higher education to enable her take care of her young ones.
Adama, an indigene of Sokoto State who moved to Abuja barely 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 early marriage of his daughter Naima to scavenger who has already paid no less than N300, 000 -150,000 each for dowry and settlement of relatives.
According to the Coordinator, Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers in FCT, Amb. Gimbiya Hannatu Usman Nda Kupi’ who led some journalists to the minors’ house in Karu, noted that her organization was passionate about education of the girl-child in FCT and would do anything legally possible to rescue and educate them to whatever levels.
Amb. Nda Kupi’, who is wife of the Chief of Garki, Dr. Usman Nda Kupi’ disclosed that her association, in conjunction with Helpline Foundation , was involved in the rescue of many girls involved in similar practices.
