Veteran Journalist Seeks End To Early Girl Marriage

by Abdulazzez YZ March 15, 2018

Ibrahim M. Baba -Bauchi, a veteran journalist in Bauchi State, has stressed the need to address problem of early marriage and lack of educational opportunities among girl child in Nigeria.

He stated this at the weekend ay while presenting a paper entitled â€œWomen Participation in Governance and Decision Making Processâ€ during the commemoration of this year International Womenâ€™s Day celebration organsed by Department of Mass Communication, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi in collaboration with Centre for a Information Technology and Drvelopment (CITAD) for female students of the institution.

Ibrahim Baba, who expressed worry over gender inequality and women participation in governance in Nigeria, said â€œThe old practice of early marriage and lack of educational opportunities for the girl child should be redressed so as to cope with the changing trends in the world todayâ€.

Ibrahim Baba, who lamented over poor participation of women in governance and decision making in Nigeria, added.â€When we have this kind of system in our governance process, how can women make concrete decisions when they are excluded in the process of making the decision, why have we not implemented to its fullest, the charters and conventions that Nigeria is signatory to?

â€œThis problem is better imagined than witnessed in the rural areas where culture and tradition has its own effect on the participation of women in governance. Sometimes, stringent measures that our political parties put in place for a person to qualify to run for elective position also serve as a deterrent. Other issues identified are the traditional institutions and cultural practices that are used to deprive women the opportunity to participate in governing issues right at the community level most of the policies and decisions are made.

â€œThere is urgent need to revisit the level of inequalities and disparity in governance that exist in Nigeria. Women should also be provided opportunities in income generating ventures, land acquisition and inclusion in democratization process.â€

Speaking earlier, Ahmad Abubakar the Head of Department of Mass Communication of ATAP, who was represented by a lecturer in the department, Nazif Pali, lamented that women in Nigeria are relegated to the background without given opportunity to prove their potential.

He assured that the institution will continue to champion issues that will improve women potential as well as encourage them to participate in governance process.

He thereby charged the female students of the institution to always demonstrate hard work and passion in their study in order to have a brighter future.

Abubakar commended CITAD for partnering with the institution in conducting series of activities for its female students.