Minister petitions IG over marriage plans for 100 orphans in Niger

In an attempt to prevent Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkindaji of the Niger State House of Assembly from marrying off 100 orphaned girls, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, has filed a petition with Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and requested a judicial injunction.

On May 24, the Speaker of the House of Representatives will marry off the orphan girls who lost their parents in banditry attacks in the Mariga local government region. This is part of his constituency initiative.

Aiming to "alleviate the suffering of the impoverished," he declared, promising to cover the bridegrooms' dowries and purchase supplies for the mass marriage.

While briefing reporters in Abuja, Kennedy-Ohanenye called the proposals "unacceptable" and emphasised that a thorough inquiry had been launched into the matter.
"I would want to inform the honourable speaker of the Niger State house that the Federal Minister of Women Affairs and the government find this intolerable.

"That is no longer business as usual because of something called the Child's Rights Act, as I stated from the beginning.

"It is important to take into account these children, their future, and the children that will come from their marriage."I've thus appeared in court. I've sent a letter to him and a petition to the police inspector general.

"I have submitted an application for an injunction to prevent him from carrying out any of his plans for the 24th until a comprehensive inquiry is conducted into those girls, determining their ages, whether or not they gave their consent, and who is marrying them," she declared.

In addition to highlighting the necessity of ensuring the education and empowerment of girls, the minister also emphasised the need to "Given that the speaker failed to consider providing these women with financial support for training, education, or empowerment."

"We will be teaching the kids because the ministry has made the decision to take it on.

"For those who choose not to attend school, we will provide them with skill-building training and sustainable empowerment tools so they can build their own lives and choose when and with whom to get married."

She declared, "There will be a serious legal battle between the Speaker and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs if the Speaker attempts to do anything contrary to what I have just mentioned."

The minister went on to highlight that every kid is a citizen of the state and that, as such, their rights are safeguarded from abuse, violence, and other violations. This is in line with the kid Rights Act.