Home News Niger Speaker stops plan to send 100 female orphans to early marriage
News

Niger Speaker stops plan to send 100 female orphans to early marriage

397
Niger Speaker stops plan to send 100 female orphans to early marriage
Speaker of Niger Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji

Speaker of Niger Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, has bowed to pressure, stopped plans to marry off 100 female orphans from his constituency as requested by traditional leaders in Niger State.

He disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking to journalists in a press meeting in the State.

This stepback decision came after the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, announced to have written a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and a legal order to stop Speaker Sarkindaji from sending 100 female orphans, said to have lost their parents to insecurity in the state to early marriage.

Speaker Sarkindaji announced on Saturday, May 11, 2024, the decision to marry off the girls because of banditry but met a lot of public condemnation, most of whom called instead for an education and welfare intervention over early marriage.

Following his announcement, the Speaker said on Tuesday,

The Minister has decided to drag me to court over this matter, which I believe is beyond the scope of her office.

Subsequently, Minister Ohanenye began calling the Speaker to order a petition.

However, Speaker Sarkindaji argued in the press meeting that the Minister lacked knowledge of how he became a speaker representing his constituency

The minister lacked any knowledge about my constituents and their needs, says Speaker Sarkindaji, adding that she has no right to criticise his decision to help his people.

About The Author

Written by
Mayowa Durosinmi

M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

Related Articles

EducationNews

Namibia’s New President to Offer Free University Education from 2026

Namibia will scrap tuition and registration fees at public universities and technical...

NewsSecurity

Gunmen Abduct 35 Passengers in Separate Attacks Along Akwa Ibom-Cross River Waterways and in Benue

At least 15 passengers were abducted by gunmen on Thursday along the...

FinanceNews

Stephen Akintayo Advertises $18,000 Mentorship Programme Amid Multiple Fraud Allegations

Nigerian entrepreneur Dr. Stephen Akintayo has been criticised after launching a high-priced...

Nigeria's Inflation is Not Looking Good, NBS 2024 Report Shows
FoodNews

SBM Survey Shows Worsening Food Insecurity in Nigeria and Ghana

A recent report by SBM Intelligence has shown that food insecurity is...