Senator Ireti Kingibe has promised to present a bill at the National Assembly to ban the killing of babies, especially twins, due to harmful traditional beliefs in Nigeria.
Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, made this promise during a visit to Vines Heritage Home in Abuja over the weekend. The home provides shelter and care for children who were rescued from being killed because of cultural practices in some communities.
“These children are innocent. It is shocking that in this modern age, some people still believe twins bring misfortune,” the senator said. “I will sponsor a bill to stop this cruel practice. No child should be punished for how they were born.”
She added that it was unfair to blame children for problems faced by their parents or community, and she called on Nigerians to speak out against infanticide and support the children at the home.
The children at Vines Heritage Home were once at risk of being killed because their communities saw them as “evil” for being born as twins or under special conditions. But they were rescued and brought to safety by the home’s founder, Olusola Stevens.
The visit was organised by ActionAid Nigeria. Its Country Director, Mr. Andrew Mamedu, was represented by the Deputy Country Director, Hajia Suwaiba Dankabo.
Dankabo said: “With support from the European Union and ActionAid Nigeria, we’ve been able to run a three-year project to raise awareness and fight the practice of killing babies in the FCT.”
She explained that the project is working in 57 communities across five Area Councils in the FCT, adding that efforts are being made to protect unborn babies and infants who are at risk.
“Our goal is to give these children, especially girls, a voice in decisions that affect their lives,” she said.
Dankabo also appreciated the funding support from Sony Entertainment through ActionAid Sweden, saying it will help support 74 girls at Vines Heritage Home and 219 children in total.
“This support is helping us give these children a better future through education and protection,” she added.
Senator Kingibe’s visit and planned bill come as a strong message against harmful cultural practices that endanger the lives of children in some parts of Nigeria.
