Niger Mass Wedding Holds Today, Minster Send Donations

Post created on 4:01 pm

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has made a u-turn supporting the proposed wedding of the 100 orphan girls in Niger State.

The mass wedding which is slated for today Friday, was first criticized by the ministry after the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, revealed he was going to support the 100 girls in getting married to help his constituency.

The proposal was rejected by the Ministry of Women Affairs, condemning its act, and petitioning the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun to get a court order will halt the process.

Mrs Uju condemned the act according to child rights law, that the girls might be underaged and some might be willing to learn a trade or go to school. Which led to the Speaker backing out after he had been supported by religious and traditional leaders.

However, in a twist of event the Special Assistant on Private Sector, Adaji Usman, representing the Minister announced in Niger scholarships for the girls and gift items like wrappers and foodstuffs.

Other items like PoS and bags of rice sewing machines were presented to the girls at the palace of the Emir of Kontagora, Mohammed Muazu.

In addition, the ministry promised to sponsor any of the girls interested in going to school up to university level.