In response to reports of a purported marriage ceremony involving a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area, the Bayelsa State Government has swiftly intervened.
The ceremony, covered by the media on December 26th, raised widespread concern, prompting the government to denounce the reported marriage as illegal.
In a joint statement issued by Dr Dise Ogbise-Goddy, Chair of the Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT), and Mr Paniebi Jacob, Director of Child Development at the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Social Development, the government expressed profound concern over the apparent breach of natural justice and societal norms.
The statement called for the immediate appearance of the child’s parents, the groom, and community leaders involved in the controversial marriage.
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Emphasizing that the Bayelsa Government does not support child marriage under any guise, the statement highlighted the passage of the Bayelsa State Child Rights Law.
The state government articulated, “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.”