The plan by the Niger State House of Assembly Speaker to marry off 100 orphan girls has been rejected by the Federal Government.
This is even as the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has formally reached out to file a legal order to stop the Speaker from going ahead with the wedding.
According to report, the Minister had approached the Inspector General of Police, IGP to request for a legal order to prevent Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkindaji of the Niger State Assembly from proceeding with the marriage of 100 orphaned girls.
Recall that the Speaker had stated his intention to provide marriage support for the orphaned girls who tragically lost their parents in bandit attacks. According to the report, Speaker stated that the gesture was part of his constituency project, in the Mariga Local Government Area. The ceremony was scheduled for May 24, 2024.
But speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Kennedy-Ohanenye expressed her disapproval of the plans. She stated that a thorough investigation has been initiated into the matter.
“I want to let the honourable Speaker of the House of Assembly, Niger State, know that this is totally unacceptable. The Federal Minister of Women Affairs and by the Government reject that.
“Because there is something called the Child’s Rights Act. And I said it from the onset, that it is no more business as usual.
“These children must be considered. Their future must be considered. The future of the children to come out of their marriage must be considered.
“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 an injunction to stop him from whatever he is planning to do on the 24th. Until a thorough investigation is carried out on those girls. We have to find out whether they gave their consent, given their ages. We have to find out the people marrying them,” the Minister said.
source: Daily Post