I say no to the Senate Bill endorsing child marriage – Omotola Ekeinde’s speech at MBGN 2013 finale

After sending out a couple of tweets about corruption and healthcare last month, nollywood actress, Omotola Ekeinde, who was one of the judges for xthe 2013 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria finale that held in Bayelsa yester night, spoke on the senate bill endorsing child marriage in Nigeria.

Omotola delivered an emotional speech on the trending topic of child marriage.Read the transcript of the speech.

“I am Today one of the Most influential person/people in the world because I wasn’t given off to marriage before the age of 18.

It scares and totally shocks me that the Senate in Nigeria (the most populous Black nation in the world and Giant of Africa) would not be passing in a law ensuring that every child should compulsorily be enrolled in school.

A very alarming number of children today are on the streets hawking or have been abused, raped or are married to men/women who should be protecting them.

Who protects the children of Nigeria?

Would we wait for another Milala before we act?

Should we now remove the parental caution on movies that say “Not for persons below 18″.

This is a call for justice and equity for children especially the Nigerian Girl child, who has the right to quality education, a childhood and the decision of whom and when to marry.

My Name is Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and I say No to phedophilia and No to the senate Bill endorsing Child marriage in Nigeria.”

At the end of her speech, she was presented with a Silverbird Unique Personality Award.