Niger Mass Marriage: Minister Chickens Out, Blames Media

The Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, has criticized the media for misrepresenting her stance on the marriage of 100 girls sponsored by the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, in Mariga local government area. According to Mrs. Ohanenye, her original position was misinterpreted, leading to unnecessary escalation.

Mrs. Ohanenye made these remarks during her visit to the palace of the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau Muazu. During this visit, she announced an Empowerment Scheme for the 100 prospective brides present in the Kontagora local government area.

Represented by her Special Assistant on Private Sector, Adaji Usman, the Minister clarified that she never intended to halt the marriages. Her primary concern was to ensure that the girls were of legal marriageable age and that none were being coerced into marriage.

” Every parent will want to marry out their wards if they attain the right age for marriage. My initial opposition to the planned marriage was misunderstood, leading to the media war between my office and the speaker. However, I thank the speaker for the way and manner the issue was handled, and through the traditional institution in the state, ” The Minister explained.

Mrs Ohanenye also assured that the girls will be closely monitored in their various husband’s houses to ensure the objectives of the empowerment scheme set up for them will not be defeated.

She also gifted the intending brides 10 Points of Service (POS) Machines and directed that a bank account be opened for each one of them where a stipend would be sent to them for the next six months to enable them to settle down in their husband’s houses.

Other items given to them include 350 bags of 10kg rice, 100 wrappers and a promise of a scholarship to the University level for those willing to go back to school.

The Speaker, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji in his remarks disclosed that the whole melodrama over his intention to sponsor the wedding ceremony of the 100 girls, mostly orphans, was politically motivated by his constituency.

“And the minister, because of her passion for women and the girl child quickly waded into the matter even though she could not find out the true position of the things and the media began to amplify the whole matter”

He commended the Minister for initiating the empowerment scheme for the girls, highlighting her genuine concern for the well-being of the girl child in the country. Her actions, he noted, reflect her maternal care and dedication.

The Emir, Mohammed Barau Muazu, also expressed gratitude to God for the peaceful resolution of the recent crisis in his Emirate. He particularly acknowledged the efforts of the state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, attributing the conflict to misunderstandings and poor communication.

In addition to thanking the Minister for the empowerment scheme, the Emir disclosed that all necessary medical tests, including those for HIV/AIDS, genotype, hepatitis B, and pregnancy, had been conducted. The results of these tests were subsequently handed over to her representatives.

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