The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has denied reports suggesting that she has withdrawn a suit earlier filed against the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji over his plans to marry off 100 orphans from his constituency.
However, in a statement on Friday, Kennedy-Ohanenye said that the ministry has resolved with the Emir of Kotangora, HRH Alh Mohammed Barau Muazu and the Speaker Abdumalik Sarkindaji to seek ways of collaboration to give a new lease of life to the girls, but the Court’s injunction remains.
The Minister stated that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs will, for now, focus on empowering girls, as well as others affected by insecurity in the state.
“I haven’t withdrawn my case until we carry out due diligence and profiling on the girls. We will also engage the girls in enrollment in schools, skill acquisition training and empowerment of the girls. The Ministry’s primary aim is to ensure that the Welfare and interests of the girls are guaranteed,” the minister said.
Recall that the Niger speaker, Sarkindaji, last week had 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 of the 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 100 poor and orphaned girls, who were largely traumatised for losing both parents to brutal and bloody banditry and insurgency, exposed her ignorance of 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.
