Bauchi pledges to end forced child marriage, prioritise education

On May 31, 2023

The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman has pledged allegiance to do everything possible to enforce laws that protect children from being exploited and forced into early marriage. The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, in a statement signed and made available to journalists by his Spokesperson, Abdul Burra, bemoaned the fact that Nigerian children are still faced with numerous challenges and advocated policies that would enable them to have access to proper schools with quality infrastructure that included classrooms, furniture, and learning materials.

The lawmaker said it is unfortunate that many schools in the country do not have adequate, well-trained teachers and have limited resources to provide a nurturing and effective learning environment.

“Today, as we celebrate the joy, innocence, and boundless potential that resides within each and every one of you, we must also acknowledge the harsh realities that children face, particularly in developing countries like ours and within the boundaries of Bauchi State. Even in this year 2023, many children in Nigeria confront formidable challenges. Numerous schools lack proper infrastructure, including classrooms, furniture, and learning materials The lawmaker said it is unfortunate that many schools in the country do not have adequate, well-trained teachers and have limited resources to provide a nurturing and effective learning environment.

The lawmaker also maintained that teachers often face inadequate training and limited resources to provide a nurturing and effective learning environment.

“Many children lack access to proper medical facilities, resulting in a higher risk of preventable diseases and inadequate healthcare support. Immunisation coverage is often insufficient, leaving children vulnerable to deadly illnesses. Malnutrition remains a persistent issue, leading to stunted growth and hindered cognitive development. Many children are forced into exploitative work instead of being in school, robbing them of their right to a proper childhood and education. They are often subjected to hazardous conditions, long hours, and meagre wages, depriving them of their innocence and hindering their potential,” he said.

In spite of the painted gloomy situation, Suleiman insisted that commendable efforts have been made to ameliorate the aforementioned challenges by the Bauchi State government under the leadership of the Governor, Bala Mohammed, with the support of the House of Assembly.

“The Bauchi State House of Assembly remains resolute in the total elimination of these challenges and in protecting the rights and well-being of every child. We pledge to continue prioritising resources to improve education infrastructure, train and empower teachers, and provide essential learning materials. We will advocate for the establishment of more healthcare facilities, increase immunisation coverage, and implement comprehensive nutrition programs to combat malnutrition.

“Furthermore, we are committed to enforcing legislation that protects children from exploitative labour practices and advocating for policies that prevent forced marriage, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive,” he said.

Wumi/Punch