The reported marriage of a 95-year-old man, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo, to a 14-year-old girl in a community in Abuja has sparked controversy and raised concerns about child marriage.
The wedding ceremony reportedly took place on May 5, 2023, in the community of Dogon Ruwa, under Gawu in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. The news was shared on social media by a Facebook user, Hussaini Duma Jagaba, who posted photos of the couple and confirmed that the wedding was genuine. Jagaba also claimed that the elderly groom and the teenager were in love with each other.
Child marriage is a serious issue in Nigeria, and it is estimated that one in five girls is married before the age of 18. The practice is often driven by poverty, lack of education, and cultural or religious beliefs. However, it has been widely condemned by human rights organizations, as it can have severe consequences for the health, education, and well-being of young girls.
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The reported marriage of a 95-year-old man to a 14-year-old girl raises questions about the legality and ethics of such unions. The Nigerian Child Rights Act of 2003 sets the minimum age of marriage at 18, and any marriage below that age is considered a violation of the law. Furthermore, the act prohibits forced or child marriages, stating that every child has the right to protection from all forms of exploitation and abuse.
It remains to be seen whether any legal action will be taken against the reported marriage, and what steps will be taken to protect the rights of the young girl involved. However, the incident has once again highlighted the need for continued efforts to end child marriage and protect the rights of vulnerable children in Nigeria.
Sharing the news, he Hussaini; “As I witnessed this wedding I pray may God save the marriage . 14 year and 95 years, for the interview we made with the old man yesterday after the wedding fatiha, he said whatever people said he don’t care about that because they love each other some people may think they force her or she married him because of money, people should stop thinking negative about there marriage“
