CHILD MARRIAGE
It is said that the first step towards correcting a problem is the acknowledgement that there actually is a problem, then proceeding to seek solutions. In my view, the first step towards correcting a problem is the clarification of that problem then accepting that there is actually a problem, before seeking solutions.
Child Marriage is one issue that will forever remain controversial and sensitive. Sometime last week, the Emir of Kano got married to an eighteen year old and to my dismay, ‘concerned’ Nigerians took to social media lambasting the Emir with the hash-tag #ChildNotWife. Before I decide on whether or not to criticize the actions of the Emir, I would like to clarify certain facts; in the Nigerian law, once an individual is eighteen years old, such person(s) can participate in the electoral process as well as in other activities that are considered reserved for adult, while in the United States of America, such person(s) can decide to live on their own. The only reason a person, in the USA, will be allowed to participate in the electoral process is if such a person is perceived to be “matured” enough to understand the rudiments of the process. Again, the University system is such that admits persons of age sixteen and above as a result of the perceived level of maturity that those of this age bracket are supposed to have. If these facts are supported by many Nigerians; why then do we raise hell if and when a man decides to marry an eighteen year old? In my opinion, many people though in the possession of a large frame work of ideas, are too contradictory and in severe need of refurbishment. Have people ever stopped to ask themselves if the so-called child involved actually loves the Emir? I guess not. Or is it the case that the so-called adults criticizing the Emir are allowed to draw conclusions for the “child” without hearing her side of the story? In the Northern part of Nigeria, girls get married around this age and would have even begun child conception. “Concerned” Nigerians do not bat an eye lid at this, but once a highly reputed individual is involved, the country suddenly becomes defenders of the weak. Some say the Emir is several years older than the young lady, let’s think back to the times of our great grandparents who we admire so much. Most of them did not marry within their age bracket and most often are usually happily married. A trip to the ancient Roman society shows that the females married as early as fifteen and the males in their late twenties, and the society flourished.
Hence, this practice is neither strange nor new to us. My advice is this; let us examine issues critically and with practicality before we draw conclusions.
