Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, has decided to halt the planned wedding ceremony for 100 orphan girls in his constituency. He made this announcement during a media briefing, stating that he would not attend the event following legal action taken by Women Affairs Minister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye to stop the wedding. Sarkindaji asserted that Kennedy-Ohanenye should assume responsibility for sponsoring the ceremony. Sarkindaji criticised the minister’s actions, labelling them as hasty and misinformed, stating that she lacks understanding of the constituency’s needs and should have consulted with him directly instead of resorting to legal action and public criticism. He clarified that he had already provided funds to the parents of the girls through traditional leaders and clerics, emphasising that his intention was to assist families in poverty, not to fulfil a constituency project.
https://www.channelstv.com/2024/05/14/niger-speaker-sarkindaji-stops-wedding-plans-for-100-girls
