- Minister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye now supports the mass wedding of orphans in Niger State, initially opposing it over Child Rights Act concerns
- The minister announced scholarships and presented gifts to 100 brides, including POS machines, wrappers, and bags of rice
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has expressed her support for the proposed mass wedding of orphans in Niger State. This event, which the minister initially opposed, is sponsored by the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji.
On Thursday, the minister announced scholarships and presented gifts to the 100 prospective brides. Despite her initial concerns about the mass wedding violating the Child Rights Act, Kennedy-Ohanenye has now endorsed the initiative.
The Speaker has also garnered support from the Niger State Council of Imams and the Muslim Rights Concern, both of which insisted that the wedding proceed as planned and cautioned the minister against opposing it.
During a visit to Niger State, the minister, represented by her Special Assistant on Private Sector, Adaji Usman, cleared up the controversy surrounding her stance. Usman announced scholarships for the girls and presented 10 Point of Sale machines, 100 wrappers, and 350 bags of 10kg rice on the minister’s behalf.
Additionally, the minister pledged scholarships up to the university level for girls who wish to pursue further education.