By our reporter 4.2.2026
Haliru Ndanusa the Emir of Shonga, Kwara State, has stressed the need for girls to be sent to school to get educated rather than been forced into early marriages.
The Emir who was speaking Wednesday during a chat on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief said that marrying off girls early devastates their lives, because they become mothers so early and it is a case of a child carrying a child.
“When you send them to school, they become informed and empowered, you do many things. So, there has to be a way we can prevent them from falling into marriage, because it’s very devastating when they marry early,” said Emir Ndanusa who is also medical doctor.
“I remember my first practice, the first time when I was in an ONG posting.
“A thirteen-year-old came in bleeding, and a tall gentleman who said he was my friend said, ‘That’s my wife.’ I didn’t understand. I said ‘Your daughter?’ He said, ‘My wife’.”
He called for government to enact laws and community leaders to embark on an enlightenment campaign to educate the citizens on the dangers of child marriage.
“Mention all those ills and sometimes have pictures [sent to those involved] and tell them, ‘We are advising you. This is not right, push them to school.’
“We can create smart bylaws ourselves, which they listen to once the council decides. If they start doing this, they know they are running foul on the system itself,” Emir Ndanusa added.
