The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, has announced scholarships and donated gift items to 100 orphaned girls in Niger State, ahead of their mass wedding sponsored by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji.
The minister had initially opposed the mass wedding, citing a violation of the Child Rights Act, but later backed down and offered support. The girls received wrappers, foodstuffs, Point of Sale machines, and sewing machines, with a promise of six-month stipends. The minister and Speaker resolved their differences, agreeing to monitor the girls’ well-being.
The minister had previously petitioned the Inspector General of Police to stop the wedding and filed a lawsuit, seeking an injunction to restrain the Speaker. However, the Speaker and the Niger State Council of Imams and Muslim Rights Concern defended the mass wedding, stating it was a cultural and religious issue.
The minister attributed the initial controversy to a misunderstanding and thanked the Speaker for his approach to handling the issue. The Speaker acknowledged the minister’s empowerment scheme and expressed regret over the politicization of his intention to support the girls.
The Emir of Kontagora also thanked God for the peaceful resolution and disclosed that medical tests were conducted on the girls.
The minister’s reversal of position and the Speaker’s defense of the mass wedding highlight the complexities surrounding child marriage and cultural traditions in Nigeria. While the minister initially sought to protect the girls’ rights, she ultimately agreed to support their marriage, citing the importance of cultural sensitivity.
The Speaker maintained that the marriage was not forced and was conducted with the girls’ consent. The incident sparks continued debate over the balance between cultural tradition and child protection in Nigeria.
