MIRIAM NNOLI 
Ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child, the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Senate on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency for the protection and welfare of the girl-child.
According to the apex legislative body, the development is to address the educational, health, and safety needs of girls across the country.
The Senate also advised state governments to domesticate and enforce the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
READ ALSO
- Senate Amends N’W, S’E Devt Commissions’ Acts Over Chair, MD Posts
- Senate Rejects Bill Seeking To Licence Private Investigators
- Sanusi Commends Gov. Yusuf For Paying Attention To Pensioners, Girl Child Education
This, however, focuses on eradicating harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation (FGM).
These resolutions followed a motion raised by Senator Ireti Kingibe on the predicament of the Nigerian girl child and the critical need for intervention by the Federal Government to save the future of Nigerian girls.
Furthermore, Ireti expressed concern that girl-child marriage remains prevalent across Nigeria, with the northern zones showing alarming statistics.
Ireti notes that according to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), over 44 per cent of girls are married before age 18, with high percentages in states like Zamfara, Bauchi, and Sokoto.
Following the motion a significant number of Senators expressed their support for the motion.
