The Federal Government is set to take legal action against the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, over his plans to sponsor the marriage of 100 girls.
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and filed for an injunction to halt the event scheduled for May 24.
The minister emphasized the need to prioritize the girls’ futures and announced plans for the ministry to take responsibility for their education and vocational training.
Sarkin-Daji’s proposal has sparked controversy, with critics arguing against the forced marriages, while the speaker maintained he is only funding the weddings.
The minister said:
“I want to let the honorable Speaker of the House in Niger state know that this is totally unacceptable by the Federal Minister of Women Affairs and by the government.
“Because there is something called the Child’s Right Act and I said it from the onset, that is no more business as usual.
“These children must be considered, their future must be considered, the future of the children to come out of their marriage must be considered”.
