Minister of Women Affairs Calls On IG to stop marriage plans of 100 orphans in Niger

Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has called on the Inspector general of Police, Kayode Egbetokun seeking an injunction  to stop the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, from marrying off girls who were orphaned after bandits attacked Mariga LGA on May 24.

The speaker recently announced that the gesture was “aimed at alleviating the suffering of the impoverished”, while also promising to pay the dowry for the bridegrooms.

The Minister said such an act is “unacceptable” which is why she petitioned the IG to halt the proposed marriage until it is certain that the girls willingly gave their consent and also to ascertain the ages of the girls and who they will be getting married to.

She said that the Child’s Right Act has to be taken into consideration with a full scale investigation. In her words, she stated that “These children must be considered, their future must be considered, the future of the children to come out of their marriage must be considered”.

She also noted that the girl-child should have access to education and should  also be empowered instead of being married off at the slightest inconvenience, which is why she said that  “the ministry has decided to take it up and we are going to educate the children.

“Those that do not want to go to school, we will train them in skill, empower them with sustainable empowerment machines to enable that child build his or her life and make up her mind who and when to get married”

She further stated that any contrary action by the speaker to hurriedly marry the girls off without proper investigation from the Federal ministry of Women Affairs would result in legal action against the speaker.