Activist Backs Campaign Against Early Marriages
Secretary, Nigerian Women for Justicce, Mrs. Amina Abubakar, has appealed to critics to stop threatening Miss Amaka Onwukwe, the organisation’s Public Relations Officer, over her campaign against early marriages and slavery of young girls in Nigeria.
In a statement, Mrs. Abubakar said every Nigerian has the right to express his or her view on any issue without fear of persecution.
“Miss Amaka Onwukwe has the right to express herself as a Nigeria citizen. It is wrong and unacceptable for people with selfish interests to start condemning her opinion or threatening her life,†she stated.
According to her, the struggle must continue, no matter the amount of intimidation or threat. She called on women organisations, parents and guardians to bring about total awareness to address the ugly situation.
“Unfortunately, we are in a society where things are taken for granted because those who ought to take appropriate action are either themselves involved or they are less concerned because it does not affect their immediate families or for fear of persecution will not express their minds or use their position to address any situation,†she added.
Referring to a lecture held in Benin to address underaged girls being pushed into prostitution, the activist said the few attendees tried to justify this unholy act, saying the dehumanising behaviour was the result of poverty.
“It is incontestable that a good seed was planted. Today, with such initiative, the government has an agency that is saddled with the responsibility to arrest and prosecute any person using his or her daughter for sex trade or sex slavery. I am convinced with the good work of Amaka Onwukwe, initiatives will be taken one day by the government to rescue this ugly situation,†Mrs. Abubakar added.
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