The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged lawmakers to include an 18-year-old minimum age for female citizens to marry in the country’s constitution.

The recommendation was made by Rev. John Oladapo on Wednesday when presenting the CAN stance to the Constitution Review Committee for the South-West Zone.

“We urge that the Constitution shall provide clarity and emphasis to recog­nising and confirming 18 years as the AGR of maturity and that for sexual consent,” Oladapo stated, speaking on behalf of the association’s President, His Eminence (Dr.) Samson Ayokunle.

Ayodele Jinadu, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Regional Development and Special Duties, who presented the state government’s viewpoint at the public hearing, told reporters that the forum provided an opportunity to examine aspects of the constitution that were not acceptable.

He noted that most of the issues raised at the hearing such as devolution of power, gender equity, among others, if eventually implemented, would put the nation on the right footing.

Addressing newsmen af­ter the hearing, Chairman of the South-West Constitu­tion Review Centre for Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states,. Peter Akpatason, promised that all submissions would be relayed to House of Representatives.