The district head of Jalingo in Taraba state, Alhaji Tukur Abba Tukur, has urged federal lawmakers to sponsor and enact a bill that will bar every Nigerian girl-child from getting married until they have completed their secondary school education. Alhaji Tukur, who is the Galadiman Muri of Jalingo, made the call in his palace on Sunday when he received 100 youths after a sensitization programme on quality education hosted by Taraba state Universal Basic Education Board in collaboration with UNICEF.

He said if such law is enacted, girl-child would have access to quality education especially in states were girl-child are at disadvantage of having access to education.

Alhaji Tukur also called for legislation from the National Assembly to support free and compulsory education for girl-child in the country. The traditional ruler however called on government and parents in northern part of the country to take issues of education with seriousness in order to catch up with the rest of the country. Also, he said resources should be channelled to the education sector to ensure quality education is easily accessible and provide incentives for girl-child to attend schools.