Tuesday 23 July 2013

YOU CAN DO THIS

Hiya people. If you're not living under a rock or in some cave, you might have heard about the #ChildNotBride campaign on social media. I read Maryam Uwais' take on it and it was hands-down the most comprehensive piece i've read about this issue and how it relates to Sharia...plus she's a Muslim.To understand what the issue is (just in case that your cave is truly impenetrable) you can read about it here and here.
Here's an excerpt of Mrs. Uwais' piece:

Once again, Senator Yerima is in the news, claiming Islam as the basis for his argument that a girl automatically transforms into an adult of ‘full age’ once she is married, with the attendant responsibilities that relate to the renunciation of citizenship, irrespective of her age or mental capacity. Because the Senator from Zamfara State has gone public with his personal comprehension of the Shari’a, it has become necessary to respond publicly to his utterances.

It should be pointed out, however, that several media reports on the constitutional review debate at the Senate give the impression that underage marriage has been endorsed by the Senate Chambers. Facts are that S.29 of the 1979 Constitution permits a Nigerian citizen of ‘full age’ to renounce his or her citizenship by declaration in a prescribed manner, for which purpose ‘full age’ was stated to be 18 years and above. The subsection also provides that, ‘any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age’. In its current efforts to review the Constitution, the Senate Committee had determined that the particular subsection should be deleted, basically because citizenship has no bearing on gender, as for example, voting, the right to drive a car, possess a weapon or such similar social interactions that are evolving or are germane to a democratic Nation. Senator Yerima, however, vehemently argued (and lobbied) against the removal of the clause, on the grounds that deleting that clause was against (his understanding of) Islam. In his understanding, a girl, once married, automatically assumes the full mental capacity and responsibility to consciously make the prescribed declaration of renouncing her citizenship.

You can read the rest here


I also saw the video of Nollywood actress and singer, Stella Damasus and she was spitting fire. That woman ain't playing. You should watch it here:


I just signed the petition "United Nations: Stop The Nigerian Senate From Making Under-Age Marriage The Law!" on Change.org. It'll take like 30 seconds max and it's important. This petition would allow the amendment of the constitution so that Section 29, subsection 4b that allows children who are under 18 to be deemed as of "full age" is deleted. Will you sign it too? Here's the link. Thanks

P.S: I'll be back with regular gist. I know i owe you plenty in the meantime, please pay up your Sykik's gist money. She has promised to make me hammer so pay up biko. You remember my one dollar a person dream to be a millionaire don't you? It's not working at the moment so do me one better and pay up. *kisses*

24 comments:

  1. LOL Toin, you too like money!

    this child marriage thing is sad. Would our voices really have an impact? At least it won't be for lack of trying.

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  2. I can't wait for Save Nigeria Group to call out for civil protest...I will join oh....which kain peadophiles are in our Legislative arm of government sef.....like Stella said, where's Mama Patience...mother of the nation...if it is to call Gov Amaechi her son, she will open mouth....
    If only God can give me that stone David used to kill Goliath, i will use it on senator Yerima..


    Let me stop ranting too.....we say NO to child abuse..#childnot bride

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  3. I admire Stella for speaking up. More people should sign the petition. We must make our leaders accountable.

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  4. na wa oh! I just hope this works out

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  5. I am really glad that people are beginning to speak up to protect the girl child. Really looking forward to see how it would pan out tomorrow when the House of reps take their votes.

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  6. Seems like we take one step forward and several; backwards.#WhatAPity

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  7. Sad state of affairs...hopefully people speaking out will make a difference. Sigh.

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  8. Wow..hearing or seeing this for the 1st time.. hmm. crazy world

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  9. Thanks for this informative piece and well done for signing the petition.

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  10. You too like money. Nkan ta ma ri e si niyen.

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  11. been a while i visited here. i also signed the petition....

    those old men are just barbaric!
    how are u?

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  12. So sad. Just the other day I was reading Dokubo's position on this subject asking 'us' to mind our businesses, after all na dem get their daughters.

    I really hope something good comes out of this.

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  13. Good write up. Just signed the petition. We should not allow them to make this law as it's anti-people to put it mildly.

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  14. Me o, I have, since this rubbish started, that if any pedophile touches my girl child, I will take to arms.

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  15. Me o, I have, since this rubbish started, that if any pedophile touches my girl child, I will take to arms.

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  16. I am praying i havent become inured to Nigerian problems. Its like I am watching from afar, watching how this will play out.
    Not my usual activism stance but we have some elected officials that make me wanna do violent things. Their selfishness just kills me.

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  17. Horrible set of people! Welldone Toin. Lovely work you are doing here.

    http://ayoyebanji.blogspot.com/2013/07/hushing-hush.html

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  18. I hope this craziness stops soon. Turning our young girls into brides is definitely not the way to go for any sane society.
    Lovely blog. Well done.
    http://greenbiro.com/

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  19. Thanks for dropping by my site. I sent you an email. Seen it?

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  20. thanks for sharing the peptition link. i have just signed it. that country is so foolish i can't even begin to explain. Of all the pressing issues the nations has it is how old men can satisfy their ungodly urges to sleep with under age children they are focusing on! This is just beyond wrong and distasteful that they would even consider such!

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  21. This,indeed,is a serious matter.

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  22. I like the fact that, that someone like stella damascus can come out and "spit fire." It is very rare, especially in our contemporary times, to see artistes come out to challenge government policies or politicians in public. Some of them are scared that may get killed or never get deals again. Damascus has proved to us that, as artistes, the society depend on us to cry on her behalf and most importantly, fight on her behalf.

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  23. Biko, I have checked this page like five times in two days hoping for a new blog. Update Biko. I can see cobwebs all over. Lol.

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  24. Thank you so much sir! You should be praised for your knowledge. Clipping Path

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Hit me nicely