The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has taken legal action to prevent the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, from marrying 100 girls. Kennedy-Ohanenye has also lodged a complaint with the Inspector-General of Police regarding Sarkin-Daji’s intentions. The matter is under investigation, with a hearing scheduled for May 24th. Sarkin-Daji had announced plans to sponsor the weddings of 100 girls, some orphaned by insurgency, as part of a constituency project. He clarified that he intended to fund the weddings rather than force the girls into marriage. Despite this, Kennedy-Ohanenye asserts that the plan is unacceptable, emphasising the importance of considering the girls’ futures. She pledges the Ministry of Women Affairs to take responsibility for their education and vocational training, citing that every child’s rights must be protected under the Child Rights Act.
