Reps oppose passage of ‘under-aged, teenage pregnancies’ motion

Resentment of some members of the House of Representatives over a motion that sought for a strong action on curbing the “alarming rate” of under-aged and teenage pregnancies in the country has necessitated the withdrawal of the motion by its sponsor yesterday.

Sponsor of the motion, Rep Odebumi Olusegun Dokun had to eventually withdraw the motion without any reason, as members showed their surprise and astonishment to the lawmaker soon upon being called to read the motion by the presiding deputy speaker, Yusuf Lasun.

A prolonged commotion ensued when the presiding speaker called for the presentation of the motion, as lined up on yesterday’s daily Order Paper, but was withdrawn by its sponsor following so many discussions with other lawmakers.

The motion’s thrust was for the committees of information and national orientation and that of women affairs of the House to be tasked to liaise with relevant authorities in putting mechanisms that would curb the incidents and ensure compliance with provisions of the Child Rights Act.

According to him, if adequate measures are not taken to protect the underaged and teenage girls from people he described as “unscrupulous men” and agents such as “baby factory” operators, more would be exploited and their future destroyed.