Nigeria
Minister Lodges Petition with IGP Regarding Niger Speaker’s Proposal to Marry Off 100 Orphan Girls
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has officially contacted the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to request a legal order preventing Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkindaji of the Niger State Assembly from overseeing the marriage of 100 orphaned girls.
Speaker Sarkindaji had announced his plan to provide marriage support for these orphaned girls who lost their parents in bandit attacks in the Mariga local government area as part of his constituency project scheduled for May 24th.
Kennedy-Ohanenye expressed her disapproval of the plans during a press conference in Abuja, emphasizing that a thorough investigation has been launched into the matter.
She stressed the importance of considering the Child’s Rights Act and the future of these children, and has taken legal action to halt the speaker’s plans until a comprehensive investigation is conducted to ensure the girls’ well-being and consent.