The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has taken swift action to halt the planned mass marriage of 100 orphaned girls by the Speaker of the Niger State Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji.
Kennedy-Ohanenye has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and sought a court injunction to stop Sarkindaji’s plans, which she deemed “unacceptable.”
The Speaker had announced his intention to marry off the girls, who lost their parents to banditry attacks in Mariga Local Government Area (LGA), as part of his constituency project on May 24.
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He claimed the gesture aimed to alleviate their suffering, offering to pay the bride price and providing materials for the mass marriage.
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However, Kennedy-Ohanenye strongly condemned the plans, stressing that a thorough investigation has commenced.
According to her, the Child’s Right Act protects every child from harm, violence, or infringement on their rights, and the ministry will ensure the girls’ futures were considered.
