Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has warned that the state will no longer tolerate child marriage, urging strict enforcement of laws to counter entrenched cultural practices that endanger young girls' well-being.

Speaking at a one-day Media Hangout, Capacity Training, and Policy Advocacy event in Ilorin organised by the Chidimma and Havilah Foundation in collaboration with the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) the governor highlighted the dangers of early marriage to girls' health, education, and personal freedom.

The event, themed "Safeguarding Our Adolescents at Home, Schools and Community to Reach Their Full Potential", brought together journalists, NGOs, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for protecting girls from harmful traditional practices.

Governor AbdulRazaq stated: "Child marriage robs girls of their future. We must enforce existing laws to ensure no child is married before the legal age. This is a moral and legal imperative."

His remarks align with Kwara's commitment to advancing gender equality and protecting minors, reflecting broader national efforts to address child marriage and its impact on development.

"Kwara State has domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and we are fully committed to its implementation. Early marriage is not only a violation of the Child Rights Act, it is a life-threatening menace that leads to complications like obstetric fistula and robs young girls of their dreams," the Governor said.

Represented by the Commissioner for Social Development, Dr. Mariam Nnafatima-Imam, he commended the Chidimma and Havilah Foundation and other Non Governmental Organisations that supported the advocacy and pledged his administration's support to creating a good environment for adolescents in the state.

In his lecture, titled "Empowering the Next Generation: The Media's Role in Nurturing Safe Environments for Adolescents," Kwara State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Abdulganiyu Dare, reinforced the need for national mobilization and grassroots advocacy to uphold the rights of every Nigerian child.

Reversing the trend

He noted that media literacy, parental responsibility, and sustained government action are key to reversing the trend of violence, neglect, and abuse facing Nigerian adolescents.

The NOA Director harped on the essential role media plays in shaping the future of adolescents and nurturing safe environments for them.

Alhaji Dare therefore emphasised the critical need to safeguard adolescents, especially girls, in an era where social media and digital platforms are the primary sources of information.

The NOA director also outlined several key strategies aimed at empowering adolescents to navigate the digital world responsibly and safely.

In his address of welcome, the Chairman of the NUJ Kwara State Council, Malam Abdullateef Lanre Ahmed, drew attention to the alarming rise in technology-driven gender-based violence, citing recent cases of ritual-related killings involving young girls.

"The tragic case of Hafsoh, a student of Kwara State College of Education, is a wake-up call. We must collectively act to protect our children," he said.

He called for holistic implementation of the VAPP Act and urged parents to embrace open conversations around sex education, online safety, and the risks of digital exposure.

The founder of the Chidimma and Havilah Foundation, Mr. Tope Omotosho, who spoke through Miss Havilah Omotosho, emphasized the Foundation's dedication to adolescent empowerment, particularly for vulnerable girls.

"Our partnership with the NUJ is to amplify advocacy and create mass awareness on how to protect adolescents, especially the girl-child, within the family, in schools, and in the workplace," he said.

Mr. Omotosho lauded the unwavering support of the First Lady of Kwara State, Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, describing her as "a dependable ally in the fight for a safe and inclusive society for young girls."

He pledged the foundation's continued investment in campaigns, sensitisation programs, and community engagements aimed at preventing abuse and promoting girls' education, healthcare access, and personal development.

Delivering a lecture titled "The Place of the Media in Safeguarding Our Adolescents at Home, School and Community," veteran broadcaster and former Kwara State Commissioner for Sports, Alhaji Hameed Adio, challenged media professionals to champion value-based content and combat moral decay among youths.

"The media must take a proactive role in setting new narratives, showcasing excellence, discouraging harmful content, and engaging in advocacy journalism that inspires positive change," he said.

Adio urged media houses to embrace digital tools and social platforms to expand their reach, counter misinformation, and promote the autobiographies and success stories of inspirational Nigerians as a counterweight to celebrity culture and sensationalism.

He also called for communal mentorship revival, adding that traditional systems of guidance and discipline must be modernised and institutionalised to protect adolescents from abuse, addiction, and exploitation.

The event, brought together journalists, advocates, and civil society leaders to strengthen the role of the media in safeguarding adolescents from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.