NAN-H-39
Education
By Mercy Osajiugo
Minna, Dec. 30, 2016 (NAN) Hajia Binta Mamman, member, Niger State House of Assembly, has called on parents in the state who prevented their female children from going to school to have a rethink.
Mamman, the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, made the call on Friday in Minna, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The lawmaker said that the girl-child required proper education for the full realization of her potential, pointing out that she should not be married out too early in life.
She said that parents, especially mothers, should strive, no matter what it would cost them, to enable their girl- children acquire formal education.
“Giving the girl-child education is a necessity and not an option; it is not a waste of resources or time, but an investment in the society.
“Arming her with education will make her strong and be prepared for future responsibilities as she exudes confidence that will make her think out of the box” she said.
Mamman said that women had proven to be dedicated, sincere, effective and responsible in whatever fields they found themselves; and the girl-child should be allowed to explore her world educationally.
The lawmaker representing Gurara Constituency remarked that if not for education she would not have been where she was presently.
She, however, noted that though, Islam, permitted girls who had reached puberty to be married, “parents should be sensitive and mature in their viewpoints.”
She said that girls should be given time to develop and mature physically because of health complications associated with girl-child marriage.
”If you see a girl who is mature and due for marriage, you will know psychologically that such a girl is due for marriage.
“She will be able to be a mother and a home manager” Mamman said. (NAN)
MNO/EMO/PAD
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Edited by Ejike Obeta, Peter Dada