14-year-old child must be return – Edo state governor, Obaseki declares

Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki  has disclosed that he is working with the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, to ensure the safe return of Memunatu Musa, a 14-year-old pupil of Enikaro Primary School, in Benin City, who was given out in marriage to a man in Katsina.

Obaseki  said this at the 2019 Children’s Day celebration held on Monday in Benin City.

He pointed out that his administration would not allow children to be denied the opportunity to go to school in the state.

The Governor  said that Memunatu Musa would be brought back to the state to complete her education.

He noted that the state government would continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure that child marriage is stamped out from the country so that children will have the opportunity to attain their full potential.

The Governor also disclosed that his administration had set up a mechanism to punish parents and teachers who abuse children in the state.

He described the theme for the 2019 Children’s Day; ‘Drug Abuse Among Children: Addressing the Challenges’ as a call to action for all to work towards ending the menace in Nigeria.

He said, “If we allow drugs and other vices to harm our children, we are destroying our future. Edo is currently working with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to develop appropriate responses and measures to end the rising cases of drug abuse among children,” he said.