By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Stakeholders from the legal, academic, civil society and traditional institutions have called for the widespread adoption of a newly launched book as an advocacy tool to combat child marriage and strengthen the protection of the rights of girls across Nigeria.
The call was made in Kaduna during the launch of “In the Shadow of the Neem Tree,” a handwritten book authored by Barrister Mariam Marwa Abdu, daughter of the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa.
The publication explores the experiences of women and girls affected by child marriage, examining the intersection of Nigerian Muslim family laws, cultural practices and legal frameworks that continue to sustain the practice.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Launcher and Chairman of Delicious Group International, Alhaji Abdullahi Saifullahi Babangida, announced a donation of N20 million to support the publication, promotion and nationwide distribution of the book.
He described the work as a significant contribution to the campaign for the protection of children and the promotion of education.
According to him, the book has the potential to reshape public understanding of child marriage while encouraging respect for religious and cultural values alongside the right of every child to quality education.
Reviewing the publication, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Dr. Willy Mamah, described the handwritten manuscript as a valuable resource with practical relevance for policy advocacy and community engagement.
He recommended that the book be translated into local languages and disseminated at the grassroots through partnerships involving government agencies, civil society organisations and traditional institutions.
Dr. Mamah said the publication presents well-researched accounts that challenge harmful social norms and enrich conversations on justice within Muslim family laws.
“The documented stories reflect the realities of Muslim women across diverse contexts and provide valuable insights that can strengthen both local and international advocacy on child protection,” he said.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the book, Barrister Marwa Abdu said the publication was shaped by more than two decades of legal practice and advocacy for women and children’s rights.
She explained that storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for exposing injustice and inspiring social change.
According to the author, the title, In the Shadow of the Neem Tree, symbolises resilience, protection and hope in the face of adversity, reflecting the experiences of many girls forced into early marriage.
Participants at the launch urged governments, religious leaders, policymakers and community organisations to leverage the book as an advocacy instrument for public enlightenment and policy reforms aimed at eliminating child marriage.
They stressed that ending the practice would require stronger legal enforcement, sustained investment in girls’ education and a coordinated effort to transform cultural attitudes that continue to encourage early marriage.
The organisers disclosed that copies of the book would be distributed to schools, legal aid organisations and child protection agencies across Nigeria to support ongoing advocacy for the rights and welfare of the girl child.
