The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, on Thursday, announced scholarships and distributed various gift items to 100 orphaned girls in Niger State ahead of their mass wedding, scheduled for Friday.
This mass wedding is sponsored by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji.
Before now, the minister opposed the mass wedding, arguing it violated the Child Rights Act.
During a press conference in Abuja, she revealed that she had petitioned the Inspector General of Police and filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the wedding.
“The mass wedding of young girls is a violation of the Child Rights Act,” she stated, emphasizing her concern for the girls’ welfare.
In response, Speaker Sarkindaji criticized the minister for interfering in what he described as a religious and cultural issue she did not fully understand.
He argued that the minister acted without understanding the circumstances that necessitated the wedding sponsorship.
The Niger State Council of Imams and the Muslim Rights Concern supported the Speaker, insisting the mass wedding proceed as planned.
Despite her initial opposition, the minister, represented by her Special Assistant on Private Sector, Adaji Usman, announced scholarships for the girls and distributed items such as wrappers and foodstuffs at the palace of the Emir of Kontagora, Mohammed Muazu.
The minister provided 10 Point of Sale machines, 100 wrappers, and 350 bags of rice. She also offered university scholarships for any of the girls wishing to continue their education.
Also, the Emir of Kontagora donated a sewing machine to each of the girls.
The minister ensured that bank accounts were opened for all 100 brides, with stipends to be deposited for six months to help them settle into their new homes.
Kennedy-Ohanenye addressed the media controversy, saying, “I did not intend to stop the marriage but to ensure the girls are of marriageable age and not being forced into it.”
She expressed gratitude to the Speaker for handling the issue and promised to monitor the girls in their new homes to ensure the success of the empowerment scheme.
Speaker Sarkindaji regretted the politicization of his initiative to support the marriage of the 100 girls, stating, “It was pure politics from my constituency. They misinformed the minister that I am playing politics with the lives of the children by forcing them into marriage. But thank God today I have been vindicated.”
The Emir of Kontagora expressed relief over the peaceful resolution, noting that all necessary medical tests had been conducted, and the results handed over to the minister’s representatives.
Credit: [Punch]
