Nigeria has passed a policy on female genital mutilation 10 years after it was drafted, Panafrican News Agency reported Saturday. At a conference in Abuja, the Ministry of Health's director of community development, Morrison Amaeshi, said a recent survey had shown that four types of FGM were still practiced in the country. Amaeshi, who blamed tradition and cultural beliefs for "the slow progress towards its elimination," added that FGM "is not required by any religious injunction" and "causes great pains and damage." Amaeshi said general ignorance and substandard professional knowledge of the practice worsened the situation.