The Bayelsa Government has taken proactive measures in response to the concerning reports surrounding the alleged marriage between a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in the Akeddei community of the Sagbama Local Government Area. This move comes after media coverage of the controversial union that supposedly took place on December 26.
In an official statement provided to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and released in Yenagoa on a Saturday, the Bayelsa Government expressed its disapproval of the reported events. The joint statement was signed by Dr. Dise Ogbise-Goddy, Chairman of the Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) Bayelsa, and Mr. Paniebi Jacob, Director of Child Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Social Development.
The government’s stance was unequivocal, emphasizing its concern over what it described as an “illegal marriage” conducted based on tradition and customs. The statement highlighted that such practices were repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience. This sentiment aligns with the Bayelsa State Child Rights Law, a legislative move aimed at safeguarding children from harmful practices, including early marriages, Bayelsa government.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Ministry of Women, Children Affairs, and Social Development, in collaboration with GRIT, acknowledged receiving a formal complaint from the DO Foundation, a child rights advocacy group. The government officials, including Jacob, Ogbise-Goddy, and the state Human Rights Commission, have taken steps to address the issue promptly.
The statement noted that the traditional ruler of Akeddei community responded positively to the government’s invitation. Assurances were given to produce all key individuals involved in the reported marriage, including the child, her parents, the groom, the youth leader, and the chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC).
Importantly, the Bayelsa Government clarified its unequivocal stance against child marriage and asserted its commitment to ensuring that incidents like the one in question do not occur in the state again. Collaborating with the Bayelsa State Police Command, the government intends to enforce the provisions of the Child Rights Law to safeguard the well-being of children in the state, Bayelsa government.
However, it has come to light that the alleged marriage involving the 54-year-old man, identified as Elder Akpos, was reportedly at the request of the girl’s parents. According to an anonymous source within the community, the parents claimed that the man was the girl’s husband in their previous life, introducing a complex spiritual dimension to the situation.
The source revealed that the toddler herself recounted a narrative of moving from place to place over the years, being born to different parents, all in the pursuit of reuniting with her previous-life husband, who had allegedly died mysteriously. The young girl insisted that if she were not allowed to marry her purported husband, she would have no reason to stay in Akeddei and would peacefully pass away.
To prevent the tragic consequences the girl foresaw, the community reportedly decided to organize an elaborate wedding ceremony, marking the union of these two individuals from their purported previous lives. The intricate interplay between cultural beliefs, spiritual convictions, and legal frameworks adds layers of complexity to the ongoing situation.
Conclusion: Bayelsa governmentÂ
The Bayelsa Government’s decisive actions demonstrate its commitment to upholding child rights and ensuring the well-being of its youngest citizens. As this complex case unfolds, the collaboration between governmental bodies, law enforcement, and non-governmental organizations underscores the importance of addressing such incidents comprehensively to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent the recurrence of such practices.
Source: guardian.ngÂ
