Child Marriage: In The Name Of...? By M.B.O Owolowo

The passage of the loathsome 'Child Marriage' law, following the
amendment of Section 29(4) (b) of the1999 Constitution, has been
rightly criticised by the general public, I believe it should have
been named appropriately as what it is, the "paedophilic law".
Many cynics consider this bill an open invitation to the world's
randiest paedophiles and sex tourists, that we are open for lascivious
business.
I know majority of legislators have hoodwinked the populace on many
issues, including the tacit siphoning of our commonwealth, but I
seriously wonder if they deliberated thoroughly on the wider
implications of such actions. I must state I am gladdened by Senator
Babafemi Ojudu's revelation of the senate's voting pattern, so all
hope isn't lost.
This 'Child Marriage' law is motivated by nothing more than the
perversion of man, and the contumacious excesses of particular
lawmakers whosponsor and support such lewdness. When such absurdities
are initiated, there are always champions who leadsuch queasy causes,
one of such protagonists is the latest "Spiritual consultant" to the
President, Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima, who gained notoriety for his
marriage to a young Egyptian girl. Though maligned for hisactions,
some wondered how it's anyone's business, after all the parents the
Egyptian girl fully approved of it.
Agreed, what some of our lawmakers and public servants do in private
is their business, but the enactment of such a law is another matter
entirely.
I wouldn't even delve into the controversial introduction of "Sharia"
by Yerima and others- which was nothing more than political fanfare
across many Northern states.
However, of important note was the chopping off a man's hand for
allegedly stealing during Yerima's tenure as Governor, interestingly,
the former EFCC boss, Nuhu Ribadu, accused Yerima of "direct stealing"
of State funds as Governor of Zamfara- sowhy the selective chopping
off of hands?
Evidently, we can't all share the same views in any society, and
respecting opposing views is encouraged, however I believe Child
Rights shouldsupersede all the divergent views in any polity, crossing
all geographical enclaves.
I concede there are many people, who not only support such views as
Yerima but also practice it, though such practices occur across the
country, it is prevalent in Northern Nigeria- but it would be wrong to
insinuate everyone from the North is in support of Child Marriage.
On a personal note, of all the rhetoric in support of this bizarre
practice, there's nothing I find more repugnantthan using the religion
of Islam as justification.
Historically, Islam is often misrepresented and perceived through bias
Orientalist pejorative- an orchestrated mechanism devised primarily to
demonize Prophet Mohammed and Islam.
These Orientalists and those who reason as such, often mention the
ageof Aisha, the wife of the Prophet Mohammed, to promote an agenda
meant to ridicule the entire faith.
Please permit me to digress and address my Muslim brethren without
going into too much detail.
The notion that Aisha was 6 at betrothal or 9 at consummation can't be
substantiated, as the veracity of that story has been debunked with
historical events that contradict such a possibility.
Evidences such as when she was born,period Aisha's parents accepted
Islam,her previous betrothal to someone else (Jubair), the time
Khadija (first wife of Prophet) died, age of Fatima (Prophet
Mohammed's daughter) a contemporary of Aisha, age of Aisha's sister,
Asma. Other evidences include, Aisha's involvement in some
expeditions, battle of Uhud especially, her scholarly contributions,
time of her death and other indisputable facts, have nullified this
age '6' and '9' fable.
Some scholars, through the rigorous study of such evidences, stated
Aisha may have been at least 19 years of age during her consummation.
It is important to state, there's a difference between betrothal and
consummation. A child, female especially, can be betrothed from the
day she is born, which is still practisedin many parts of the world,
but, consummation is the real deal and the major concern, because this
involves sexual intercourse.
There are cultural variations across the world with the ages ranging
between 16 and 20 as marriageable age, however, age of sexual consent
is another issue.
For instance, some Child Marriage practices, sometimes motivated by
the need to cement political or financial ties, were previously
acceptable in Western countries, but aren't exactly commonplace
presently. In the United Kingdom for example, we are aware girls under
the age of 15 are sexually active and are delivering babies regularly,
but the law states 18 as minimum age for marriage and 16 with parental
consent, though in Scotland it is 16. The same applies to most African
countries and even Muslim dominated countries.
These are facts, those who think it's their "religious" duty or
obligation to have child brides, may want to reconsider.I am of the
opinion this practice has more to do with culture than religion-an
aberration all enlightened Muslim's must reject intellectually.
The Quran should be the basis and its superiority to the Hadith, which
are narratives, must be emphasized. There are verses in the Quran
highlighting maturity and consent before marriage. So its wrongs to
cherry-pick aspects of religious texts, like Hadith, and usually out
of context,to suit personal whims, however perverted.
The same admonitory caution goes tomischief-makers trying to disparage
Islam and cast aspersions on Prophet Mohammed. These are the
hypocrites who only become "righteous" anytime it's time to criticise
Islam or it's another "Open Season" on Muslim's. These are people who
in no way adhere to the dictates of their professed faith, but are the
most opprobrious in such anti-Islamic matters.
I would like to give a big Kudos to some non- Muslims, Christians
especially, for their objectivity: their opposition to tainting Islam
on this matter, but concentrating on the real issue of Child Rights.
Many studies have revealed poverty is a key factor in almost all child
marriage cases and indirectly related to Obstetric Fistula. Economic
hardship leads many families to sell or lease their male and female
children to sexual predators and childmolesters across the globe.
I would implore the same energies that have rejected this Child
Marriage bill be spent rejecting the factors perpetuating poverty in
our milieu.
I gathered the Nigerian Senate passed the bill on religious rights
grounds, if true; they may want to rescind such a decision- as it
can't be explicitly justified in the name of religion. I don't know
which "Islamic law" Senator Yerima is referring to in his twisted
defence of a despicable act, as I am not aware of any. I hope those
who hide under the guise of religion are aware Islam permits the
evolvement of socio-cultural related laws- who knows, we may soon get
one for the castration of men who only lust after prepubescent girls.
Religious rights mustn't be abused under any guise, the fundamental
human rights of others mustn't be infringed upon in the name of
religion. Let us protect the rights of our children. God Bless
Nigeria!
m.b.o.owolowo@gmail.com