The Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy Ohanenye has blamed the media for escalating her initial position surrounding the marriage of the 100 girls being sponsored by the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji in his constituency Mariga local government area of the state.
Mrs Ohanenye stated this at the palace of the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau Muazu where she announced an Empowerment Scheme for the 100 intending Brides in attendance in the Kontagora local government area of the state.
The Minister represented by the Special Assistant on Private Sector, Adaji Usman disclosed that she had no plans to stop the marriage of the girls but only out to be certain they were of marriageable age and were not being forced into it.
” 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 also commended the Minister for setting up the empowerment scheme for the girls, which goes to show that she is a mother who really meant well for the girl child in the country.
Also, the Emir, Mohammed Barau Muazu appreciated God for the peaceful resolution of the crisis surrounding the issue in his Emirate in the last two weeks, especially the role played by the state Governor Mohammed Umar Bago while hinging it on misunderstanding and lack of communication.
While thanking the minister for the empowerment scheme rolled out for the girls, the Emir also revealed that all the necessary medical tests, including HIV/AIDS, Genotype, Hepatitis B and pregnancy were conducted and the results were handed over to her representatives.
Marriage of 100 Girls: Media took my position out of context – Minister, Ohanenye