The Minister of Women Affairs in Nigeria, Uju Kennedy-Ohanaeze, has announced plans to empower girls involved in the proposed mass marriage of orphans in Niger State.
This follows a controversial proposal by the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, to arrange a mass wedding for 100 orphans in his constituency, a proposal he later discontinued.
In response to the proposal, Minister Kennedy-Ohanaeze took legal action against the Speaker, determined to ensure a better future for the girls. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, she outlined her ministry’s plans to support the orphans by providing them with educational and business opportunities.
“Those who have finished secondary school could enter an open university while managing their businesses or secure a job while continuing their education,” the minister stated. “For those who have not finished secondary school, they will return to complete their education. We aim to provide them with something productive to do, such as Point of Sale (PoS) operations, enabling them to earn money while attending school.”
The minister emphasized that the legal case against the proposed mass marriage has not yet been withdrawn. “The case is not yet withdrawn. I want to make that clear. How do I withdraw a case in a day?” she questioned. “Before we withdraw the case, we must go back to court to inform the judge that we have reached a settlement. We are still organizing our approach to solve this problem effectively.”
Kennedy-Ohanaeze’s commitment to empowering the orphans aims to provide them with the skills and education necessary for self-sufficiency, thereby ensuring their well-being and future prospects.
