Speaking to reporters on Friday, the minister said that the ministry is presently looking into the girls’ ages to see if they are within the legal age for marriage in cooperation with the speaker of the Niger State Assembly and the state’s traditional rulers.
Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the minister of women’s affairs, has withdrawn a lawsuit that was previously brought against Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, for his intention to marry off 100 orphans from his district.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, the minister said that the ministry is presently looking into the girls’ ages to see if they are within the legal age for marriage in cooperation with the speaker of the Niger State Assembly and the state’s traditional rulers.
She claims that for the time being, the Ministry of Women Affairs will concentrate on empowering girls and other individuals impacted by the state’s instability.
Recall that last week, the speaker, Sarkindaji, announced plans to marry off 100 orphans in his constituency as part of measures to alleviate their sufferings.
While the development had sparked national outrages, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), urged the minister to withdraw the litigation and petition she wrote to the Inspector General of Police.
The Chairman, Kano State Chapter of MURIC, Malam Hassan Indabawa, who made the call on Thursday night in a statement, urged Nigerians to learn to respect one another’s culture and traditions.
“We found the harsh and hasty decision taken by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs over a matter that is entirely beyond the scope of her ministry.
“The minister’s attempt at media demonisation of marrying off of 100 poor and orphaned girls, who were largely traumatised for losing both parents to brutal and bloody banditry and insurgency, exposed her ignorance to the culture and traditions of the Muslim North.
“This elaborate media blitz, over the matter, MURIC observed, was deliberately done to sway public opinion against the marriage institution, and an attempt to vilify Sarkin-Daji, after demonstrating his genuine concern for the needs of members of his constituency,” Indabawa said.
The marriage arrangement in question is slated to take place on May 24, 2024.