OAM4J: You dont seem to get it.

It doesn't matter if any religion, culture, document/law approves it. The question is knowing what we know about motherhood and family today, is it right? Will you approve your under age sister and daughter to get married?

Can a 13/14 year old child adequately handle the pressure of pregnancy, motherhood and marriage?

If we believe these children are not even capable of deciding a good leader for the nation during elections, why do we think they are capable of making a serious decision such as marriage for themselves.

We should be fighting to remove such abuse from every religion, culture and law books and not justify or approve the abuse with them.

OAM4J: You dont seem to get it.

It doesn't matter if any religion, culture, document/law approves it. The question is knowing what we know about motherhood and family today, is it right? Will you approve your under age sister and daughter to get married?

Can a 13/14 year old child adequately handle the pressure of pregnancy, motherhood and marriage?

If we believe these children are not even capable of deciding a good leader for the nation during elections, why do we think they are capable of making a serious decision such as marriage for themselves.

We should be fighting to remove such abuse from every religion, culture and law books and not justify or approve the abuse with them.

ShyM-X:


1. Sir, that isn't my point - my point is that: people should be allowed freedom to their way-of-life. The Northerner Senators voted overwhelmingly for it and no Northerner has come out to speak out against it, so why're Southerners crying-me-a-river over what has absolutely nothing to do with them? At the end of the day, they aren't forcing anyone to practise, it's just there to enable those who believe in it do what they think is right for them.

2. Right or wrong is subjective and also based on outlook. Beating a child and child labour are wrong to most people. However, it's normal in Africa. So who am I to judge what a person thinks is right or wrong? Also, I definitely won't allow my under-aged sister and daughter to get married because it isn't part of my way-of-life and the consciousness instilled in me by my parents. But I definitely won't stop anyone else who believes in it, from doing it. How a person chooses to lead his/her life is non of my business.

3. There are also tons of adults (old bodies with young souls) who can't handle all these as well - should we also stop them from getting married?

Lastly, life is all about choices and if the people it affects directly are in support of it - why should we be ones fighting against it? When Northerners/Muslims start fighting against it - then I'll support their cause. Till then, we need to stop the distractions and focus on Nigeria, and all the unique problems in the country.

OAM4J:

This is not about North Vs South or Muslims Vs Christians. This is about what we should accept as Nigerians. If recent knowledge prove to us that what we consider as a way of life is wrong, then it calls for a change and not allow few us to sentimentally hold on to it as a way of life. Change is the only constant thing in life and sometimes we have to fight for that change. For instance slavery was a way of life supported by many cultures and religion in the past but many fought against it in the light of its evil. The world is better for it today.



If we are honest to ourselves, what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. We have to look at every issue objectively, consider its merit and demerit, and then hold on to what we know is true and fair to all. Fact is we are not being fair to these kids if we allow these few pedophiles to keep mortgaging their future. They are young, weak, helpless and powerless. Those of us that know the truth should fight for them and free them.



YES! Marriage is not for everyone. Anyone who knows he/she cannot handle it should be discouraged from going into it. And if he or she decides to go into it then it becomes his/her choice or cup of tea, cos we expect him/her to know what is good for him/her as an adult




Again like I said earlier, the fight is not about North Vs South or Muslims Vs Christians. It is a fight for Nigerian young girls that are helpless, voiceless, weak and incapable of making the right choices you talk about. We need to defend them and fight for them. Child marriage must be stopped everywhere, in every religion and culture cos it is bad.

ShyM-X:
Evidently it isn't just an Islamic thing, the same thing happens in different cultures around the world. Even the Vatican isn't left out of the party. So why the hoopla about something as irrelevant as this and the distraction it's causing from the real issues Nigerians ought to deal with right now?

Anyway, I don't believe in marriage as an institution - I think it needs to be redefined. However, people need to be allowed to lead their lives the way they want, as long as it's part of their culture.

ShyM-X:
Sir, that isn't my point - my point is that: people should be allowed freedom to their way-of-life.

OAM4J:
This is not about North Vs South or Muslims Vs Christians. This is about what we should accept as Nigerians. If recent knowledge prove to us that what we consider as a way of life is wrong, then it calls for a change and not allow few us to sentimentally hold on to it as a way of life. Change is the only constant thing in life and sometimes we have to fight for that change. For instance slavery was a way of life supported by many cultures and religion in the past but many fought against it in the light of its evil. The world is better for it today.

If we are honest to ourselves, what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. We have to look at every issue objectively, consider its merit and demerit, and then hold on to what we know is true and fair to all. Fact is we are not being fair to these kids if we allow these few pedophiles to keep mortgaging their future. They are young, weak, helpless and powerless. Those of us that know the truth should fight for them and free them.

YES! Marriage is not for everyone. Anyone who knows he/she cannot handle it should be discouraged from going into it. And if he or she decides to go into it then it becomes his/her choice or cup of tea, cos we expect him/her to know what is good for him/her as an adult

Again like I said earlier, the fight is not about North Vs South or Muslims Vs Christians. It is a fight for Nigerian young girls that are helpless, voiceless, weak and incapable of making the right choices you talk about. We need to defend them and fight for them. Child marriage must be stopped everywhere, in every religion and culture cos it is bad.

Imagine if Mary Slessor had said same about killing of twins; after all it was the choice of the community concerned and none of those concerned was complaining at the time, am sure no one will be celebrating her as they do today. My people say "Oun ti oda koda" (What is wrong is wrong).

tellwisdom: Shymex must have taking some mariyuana before jumping on his rusty computer to send this mail.
Of what use is it marrying under age kids(I call them kids cos they know nothing) who cant even cook, nor wash their pants properly?? This is ritual, i must tell you.

ShyM-X:


Sir, I believe in the responsibility to protect(R2P) and being your brother's keeper. However, before you can "protect" or take a stand with the next person - there has to be a form of willingness and solidarity from the affected party. We can't just fight for people who aren't willing to fight and free themselves from the shackles of medievality - else it will be counterproductive and we won't get our desired results. It has to be of collective agreement between the affected party and those willing to support their stand. Northerners have to take a stand first - then we'll stand with by them - and fight against it together.

Also, slavery wasn't stopped because the culprits wanted to stop it. It was stopped due to revolting and belligerent slaves and how they made it less lucrative. The slaves took a stand and the liberal minded folks supported them. Same with the civil rights movement, fight against colonialism, and fight against apartheid.

I know change is the only constant thing in life, however, if want to make the change a permanent one - it has to be a bottom-up change. Even if we're able to fight and make under-age marriages illegal - will that stop them from doing it? I believe prostitution, child labour, sex with minor etc. are illegal in Nigeria, however, has that stopped people from engaging in those acts with impunity? We need to start off by fighting to make our institutions (especially the judiciary and the police force) effective and helping in mass education of our Northern brothers and sisters. Then, they'll be prepared to take a stand and we can also stand next to them, to achieve the desired result. Window dressing approach will never work.

Right and wrong, good and bad, and black and white - they all depend on human consciousness and outlook to life. In-betweeners will always have it better due to their non-commitment to either side. But, some will say everything isn't black and white, and gray is more like it.

However, I believe under-age marriage is wrong based on my outlook to life. But there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. When I fight, I like to fight - to achieve results. I want people I'm fighting for/with take a stand and testify with me, however, that isn't the case here. If I take a stand, I'll look more like a Lone Ranger. And that's the crux of the matter here.

OAM4J:
Who are these people you are asking to fight for themselves? You forgot the victims here are kids. How do you expect them to fight for themselves? Form an association of underage wives or start kicking against their aggressive randy husbands' blokos? Or do you expect their men who are the benefactors of the crime to fight for them?

No, those of us who have not been corrupted by that way of life have to stand up for them. They are Nigerians and citizens of the world. We must defend and protect them at all cost. There are many ways we can fight for them and whether you know it or not, the fight has already began with many people speaking out against it. I know the fight will not be won overnight, but if we continue the fight, naming and shaming those involve, without some voices like yours who also disapprove the practice but want these people to be left alone and continue their ways of life, soon and very soon it will stop or be reduced to barest minimum, especially when many who are currently sitting on the fence join the fight.

I know a lot of the senators did not vote, cos 35 is definitely not the majority number in the senate. Hopefully in the nearest future many of them will move against it and it will become illegal to marry underage and then we will also strive to enforce that law.

tha_originator: After some useless hypocritical christians will come here raining abuses on Islam even when their pastors are impregnating 6 years old girls in churches. Craze dey worry una!

You dey mind those mofos with fake book with different versions and editions?? Callin one stewpid guy Daddy G.I Joe abi wetin be the guy name sef!?
=============================

I was against the Law been passed, but from what OP just posted.. mehn it's not only in Nigeria. So y'all tagging Islam with this shld STFU and work on your household. Give your child good education and protect her from these greedy lawmakers and dont come back here to rant about how one Senator Kerima woo your Kiddo.

ShyM-X:


We can't just fight for people who aren't willing to fight and free themselves from the shackles of medievality - else it will be counterproductive and we won't get our desired results. It has to be of collective agreement between the affected party and those willing to support their stand. Northerners have to take a stand first - then we'll stand with by them - and fight against it together.

Also, slavery wasn't stopped because the culprits wanted to stop it. It was stopped due to revolting and belligerent slaves and how they made it less lucrative. The slaves took a stand and the liberal minded folks supported them. Same with the civil rights movement, fight against colonialism, and fight against apartheid.

It has to be of collective agreement between the affected party and those willing to support their stand

ShyM-X:


1. Sir, that isn't my point - my point is that: people should be allowed freedom to their way-of-life. The Northerner Senators voted overwhelmingly for it and no Northerner has come out to speak out against it, so why're Southerners crying-me-a-river over what has absolutely nothing to do with them? At the end of the day, they aren't forcing anyone to practise, it's just there to enable those who believe in it do what they think is right for them.

2. Right or wrong is subjective and also based on outlook. Beating a child and child labour are wrong to most people. However, it's normal in Africa. So who am I to judge what a person thinks is right or wrong? Also, I definitely won't allow my under-aged sister and daughter to get married because it isn't part of my way-of-life and the consciousness instilled in me by my parents. But I definitely won't stop anyone else who believes in it, from doing it. How a person chooses to lead his/her life is non of my business.

3. There are also tons of adults (old bodies with young souls) who can't handle all these as well - should we also stop them from getting married?

Lastly, life is all about choices and if the people it affects directly are in support of it - why should we be ones fighting against it? When Northerners/Muslims start fighting against it - then I'll support their cause. Till then, we need to stop the distractions and focus on Nigeria, and all the unique problems in the country.

ShyM-X:
^^^^Can you read? Can't you see that the ages listed up there are the legal ages, whether the person seeking to marry the bride is an adult or not?

Also, there is no universal law there - the laws vary from state to state in USA. I doubt you've ever been to America, tbh.