NIGER SPEAKER BOWS TO PRESSURE MOUNT BY MINISTER OF WOMEN AFFAIRS REGARDING MASS WEDDING OF 100 ORPHANAGE, SAYS HE HAS CANCELLED THE WEDDING.
The speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulamlik Sarkindaji, has called off the wedding for 100 orphan girls, scheduled to take place in his constituency adding that he would no longer attend the event.
This comes after the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Ohannaya, On Monday, May 13, revealed that she has approached the court of law to stop Sarkin-Daji from marrying 100 girls off to prospective suitors adding that she has also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over Sarkin-Daji’s plan and a thorough investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the issue.
However , the speaker on Tuesday, May 14, during a press briefing, where he stated that the minister had gone beyond her jurisdiction faulting her appraoch in handling the issue.
Sarkin- Daji added that the minister lacked any knowledge about his constituents and their needs, saying she has no right to criticise his decision to help his people.
The Speaker said: “I am a typical Hausa man. What is out of order in what I have done, why is this issue being over flogged. I have pledged to take care of orphans and that is what I am doing. If the federal government through the Ministry of Women Affairs wants to extend their helping hands, let them do so, they are welcome.
“Where was the minister when my people were facing insecurity? Let her go to the local government, let her find out who those girls are. They are not underaged. If she wants to help them, she is welcome. She should stop tarnishing my image. I am a public figure and the speaker of Niger state House of Assembly.
“The approached of the minister is bad. She should have reached out to me and discuss with me, I would have accepted whatever suggestions she made because I value any help and assistance that would come to my people. I am disappointed with her actions and disheartened by it.”
“The traditional and religious leaders approached me and I decided to support the girls. They initially submitted the names of 210 girls to me and I told them there was no means for such so we cut it down to 100 names. Does the Minister want to say that these leaders are wrong?
“They told me that I would bless the marriage and I told them I cannot attend every marriage so they should do it in a day and I would grace the occasion and that is the reason for the event.”
” I have wanted to grace the occasion but I won’t do that again since helping my people have become a crime. But I have advanced the support and I will not reclaim or withdraw whatever support or donations I have given to the leaders and the parents. If they wish to get married, they can, if not, they can use the money and the items for something else”, he stated.
