The Lagos State Chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has called on the Senate to revisit the controversial Child Marriage bill currently pending in the upper house and delete sessions deemed to have been offensive and discriminatory against women.
The AGN made the revelation at a press conference addressed by Chairman of the Lagos State chapter, Mr. Don Pedro Aganbi, former chairman, Mr. Emeka Rising Ibe and other members of the Lagos State Executive Council.
Speaking at the event, Aganbi expressed bitterness that ordinarily the child marriage is an issue that should agitate the mind of the leadership of AGN, which is lead by a woman in the person of Ibinabo Fiberesima.
“I am saying that the Senate must take another look at that bill. The Actors Guild of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, says No to child marriage. We want to align with progressive Nigerians. We want to say that our children cannot be given out in marriage at age six, our children cannot be given out at age 12, we will not accept it. We want to implore the Senate President David Mark to look into it. It is not only callous, it is an affront on to the intelligence of Nigerians, it is an affront to our mothers and that is why AGN Lagos State chapter strongly condemns that bill”, he said adding that the other day, he heard Deputy President, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu saying that it has always being in the constitution, stressing that the Senate should either review it or delete the provision entirely.
“It is archaic, it is demonic and Senate ought to take a look into that bill before we call the over 10,000 actors in Lagos state out in the street. How can Senator Yerima say that there is nothing wrong with getting married to a child of six? It is wicked, it is barbaric and unNigerian. So we want Nigerians to know that Actors Guild of Nigeria says No to child marriage”, he said.
