Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, has taken legal action to prevent the proposed marriage of 100 orphans in Niger State. The minister criticized the proposed marriages, citing violations of the Child Rights Act and expressing serious concerns about the ages and consent of the girls involved.
“I want to let the honorable speaker of the house in Niger State to know that this is totally unacceptable by the Federal Minister of Women Affairs and by the government, totally unacceptable,” She said, as reported by the Daily Post.
Highlighting the importance of safeguarding the future of these girls, she pledged to offer them the necessary support and empowerment opportunities to nurture their potential.
“So I have gone to court. I have written him a letter and written a petition to the IG of police. And I have filed for injunction to stop him from whatever he is planning to do on the 24th, until a thorough investigation is carried out on those girls, find out whether they gave their consent, their ages, find out the people marrying them,” She said.
Kennedy-Ohanenye mentioned that she has notified the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation, urging them to initiate an investigation into the matter.
According to Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, one hundred female orphans who were victims of banditry attacks in Niger State’s Mariga Local Government Area will be married off this month.
The Speaker, who had promised to cover the dowries for the grooms, has claimed that the 100 brides have everything they need for a proper Islamic marriage, including a comfortable home for them to live in.
The Mariga Constituency Speaker did not reveal the girls’ ages but stated that out of 170 girls whose names were submitted, the ones who would be married off were picked with great care.
In an interview with Minna newsmen, Sarkindaji explained that the initiative would be a component of his constituency empowerment project. He went on to say that the project’s creators had good intentions and that they hoped it would help the poor.
In addition, he announced that the female orphans who would be married off would be looked after by the governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau.
The event, scheduled for May 24 at Bangi, the headquarters of Mariga Local Government Area, is anticipated to be attended by Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, the Commander General of the Hisbah Board for Kano state.
