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Agony of girl child as Parliament proposes Bill to allow 9years old girls marry

Published

2 years ago

August 10, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

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A proposed bill in Iraq’s Parliament to lower the legal marriage age for girls to just nine years has triggered significant controversy. Introduced by the Iraq Justice Ministry, the bill aims to amend the Personal Status Law, which currently sets the minimum age for marriage at 18.

The proposed bill will reduce the marriage age for girls

If enacted, the bill would allow girls as young as nine and boys as young as 15 to marry. This change has raised concerns about increased child marriage and exploitation. Critics argue that it would reverse progress in women’s rights and gender equality.

Human rights organizations, women’s groups, and civil society activists have strongly opposed the bill. They warn it would negatively impact young girls’ education, health, and well-being, leading to higher dropout rates, early pregnancies, and increased domestic violence. UNICEF reports that 28 percent of girls in Iraq are already married before 18.

“Passing this law would show a country moving backward, not forwards,” said Sarah Sanbar, a researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Propose Changes in Iraq Marriage Bill

The bill proposes allowing citizens to choose between religious authorities or civil judiciary for family matters. Critics fear this could erode rights related to inheritance, divorce, and child custody. The bill’s proponents argue it would standardize Islamic law and protect young girls from “immoral relationships,” but opponents believe this justification is flawed.

In late July, the parliament withdrew the proposed changes due to objections from many lawmakers. However, the bill reappeared in an August 4 session after gaining support from influential Shia blocs.

The draft bill stipulates that couples must choose between the Sunni or Shia sect for “all matters of personal status.”

It specifies that in the event of a dispute between spouses about the doctrine under which their marriage contract was made, the contract will be considered valid under the husband’s doctrine unless proven otherwise.

The proposed change would allow the Shiite and Sunni endowments to officiate marriages instead of the courts.

Additionally, the draft bill mandates that Shia and Sunni endowments present a “code of legal rulings” to the Iraqi Parliament within six months of the amendments being ratified.

Historical Context

The proposed amendment would reverse changes made by the 1959 legislation, which transferred family law authority from religious figures to the state judiciary. The new bill would reintroduce the option for applying religious rules, mainly from Shia and Sunni Islam, but does not address other religious or sectarian communities in Iraq.

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Watch moment FCT minister Wike campaigns for Tinubu, Aduda

Published

8 minutes ago

September 22, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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…Vote Tinubu for President
Vote Aduda for Senate

Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike has started campaigning for President Bola TInubu and Phillip Aduda in Abuja.

Watch the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, telling the people of Tungan Shanu village during the inspection of the ongoing construction of the road linking Tungan Madaki with Zuba Road today to vote President TInubu and Aduda for Senate.

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Court Directs INEC to Recognise NDC’s Two-Finger Logo

Published

1 hour ago

September 22, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) will soon be inaugurated as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., on September 21, 2026.

According to the statement, the NDC is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders to develop and inaugurate what it described as a robust Presidential Campaign Council.

The party said its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had held several meetings with the National Leader and leadership of the party as part of the process.

The NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had been given the opportunity to nominate key officials of the campaign council in consultation with the party.

Those positions include the Director-General of the Campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), Campaign Spokesman, Deputy Spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other positions.

The party said the arrangement was designed to promote inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign structure.

It added that a full organogram of the campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from other stakeholders across the country.

The NDC said it would announce and inaugurate the PCC after receiving the inputs of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

It also disclosed that a campaign timetable had been proposed since August, with arrangements for campaign funding and fundraising still being concluded.

According to the party, funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate alongside the party’s National Treasurer.

The party said the PCC inauguration, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed because of the travel schedule of the presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, the NDC has directed its state and Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen to commence the compilation and harmonisation of party agents ahead of the 2027 elections.

The directive, according to the party, is in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, and requires state and LGA chairmen to meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders to produce comprehensive lists of agents.

The agents will be divided into two categories: those for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.

The party said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by its leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training commences.

The exercise is expected to be completed and the final lists submitted within two weeks of the directive.

The committee responsible for the appointment of party agents is chaired by the NDC Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli. Vin Martin Ilo serves as secretary, while Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones are members.

The party also appealed to its candidates at all levels to discourage supporters and support groups from engaging in internal battles, urging them instead to concentrate on winning the elections.

“There are no battles to fight within the NDC,” the party stated, identifying the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its common opponent.

The NDC said it remained committed to supporting its candidates and urged them to focus on winning elections, stressing that its candidates were contesting under the party and not as independent candidates.

The party expressed its desire for all its candidates to win their respective elections and called on members and supporters to remain focused on the 2027 electoral contest.

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Wike Hails First Lady Oluremi Tinubu At 66, Says “She’s a pillar of support for Nigerians”

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Austin Ojomah

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has described the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a major pillar of support for President Bola Tinubu in particular and Nigerians, especially the vulnerable ones in general.

The FCT Minister, in a goodwill message to the First Lady on her 66th birthday, commended her for the transformation of the Abuja City Gate, saying “the roles the First Lady played in transforming the Abuja City Gate into how it is today, is a manifestation of her commitment to the success of her husband’s administration.”

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Minister also hailed the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that it has brought succor to several vulnerable Nigerians in the last three years.

Wike said; “At 66, the simple way of life of the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has remained an inspiration to women in the country, and it is my prayer that God will continue to uphold her.

“Most importantly, this new age is a confirmation of God’s love for her, and I pray that the good Lord will continue to grant her good health.

“I celebrate and rejoice with our ever caring and development oriented First Lady on the attainment of this significant age in her life and wish her many more years of service to our country, Nigeria.”