Bayelsa gov summons parents, groom, others in connection with four-year-old girl’s marriage

In Akeddei community, Sagbama Local Government Area, the parents of a four-year-old child and the 54-year-old man involved in an alleged marriage have been invited by the Bayelsa State Government.

Based on tradition and customs, the state government expressed concern about the illegal marriage, saying it was repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience. This was done through the State Gender Response Initiative Team, or GRIT, and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Social Development, which disapproved of the development.

The traditional marriage of a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in the Akeddei community in the Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was protested last Thursday by a large number of child rights advocacy groups, as previously reported.

Child marriage is against the Child Rights Act and the constitution, according to child rights advocacy groups, which also called the marriage illegal and criminal.

In a statement released on Saturday, the state human rights commission, the 54-year-old man who is the father of the child, the youth leader, and the chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) along with Mr. Panebi Jacob, the director of the ministry responsible for child development, stated that the traditional ruler of the Akeddei community had accepted the government’s invitation and promised to produce the child.

The Bayelsa State Government does not, under any circumstances, support child marriage, according to the statement.

“The Bayelsa State Child Rights Law was passed with the state government’s unwavering support for this reason.

In connection with this unlawful ceremony that they called a “mere spiritual affair,” we are acting to free the child from all significant parties.

Along with the Bayelsa State police command, we will make sure that occurrences such to this one never happen in the state again. The law is clear on matters of tradition and traditions that are abhorrent to natural justice, equity, and moral conscience.

“We extend our gratitude to all non-governmental organisations, such as Fida and DO Foundation, that have stepped up to save this helpless child on behalf of the Governor of Bayelsa State.” This matter will be pursued to a reasonable resolution because Bayelsa State is kid-friendly, according to the statement.