Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has taken action against the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji’s plans to marry off 100 orphaned girls.
She petitioned the Inspector General of Police and sought a court injunction to halt the planned mass marriage.
The orphans, who lost their parents in banditry attacks in Mariga Local Government Area of the state, were reportedly slated for marriage as part of the Speaker’s constituency project.
Speaker Sarkindaji announced his intention to marry off the girls as a means of alleviating their suffering and pledged to cover the dowries for the brides and had procured materials for the event.
Kennedy-Ohanenye condemned the plans as “unacceptable” and has initiated a full-scale investigation into the matter.
She briefed newsmen in Abuja on Monday regarding the ongoing developments.
“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.
“Because there is something called the Child’s Right 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.
“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
