Gloria Diri Warns Fathers: Don’t Give Out Your Daughters to Settle Debts
By Jonah Fubara, YENAGOA — Dr Gloria Diri, wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, has warned fathers against giving out their daughters in marriage to settle debts, urging parents to prioritise the education, welfare and future of the girl child.
She gave the warning on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during the International Day of the Girl Child celebration organised by the Voice of Ijaw Girl Child (VIGC) in Yenagoa.
Dr Diri condemned the practice of forcing girls into early marriage, stressing that children should not be burdened with adult responsibilities at the expense of their education and personal development.
“Fathers, go and work, take care of your children. Don’t use your children to settle your debt,” she said.
She called on mothers to protect their daughters, listen to their concerns, encourage their ambitions and stand by them, rather than subjecting them to early marriage.
“I am here to accept what they have said, that mothers should take their place and support their children, listen to them, give them courage and stand by them, not to give them husbands,” she said.
According to her, the voices of the girls at the event represented the concerns of girl children across Nigeria, particularly their opposition to early marriage and their desire to remain in school.
“Every girl child has spoken; their voices are very loud and clear. They are saying that there should no longer be early marriage,” she said.
The governor’s wife emphasised that girls should be allowed to enjoy their childhood and receive an education instead of being forced into marriage before they are ready.
“The children are not mothers. They cannot wear wrappers in the place of uniforms. Their voices are clear, and I believe that the voices of these children here in Bayelsa State represent the voices of the girl children of Nigeria,” she said.
She further urged parents to recognise the long-term value of educating their daughters, describing them as a source of support for their families in old age.
“Your daughter is your walking stick in your old age. Support her and educate her; that is the cry of the girl child,” she said.
Dr Diri also encouraged girls to take their lives seriously, remain focused on their aspirations and recognise that their future depended partly on the choices they made and the determination they demonstrated.
“For every girl child, I want you to know that your success lies in your hands, your progress is in you. So take your life seriously, and support will be there for you,” she said.
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights and empowerment of girls and draw attention to challenges affecting their development, including early marriage, gender inequality and limited access to education.
