Nigerians Federal Minister Women Affairs Counters Mass Marriage, Advocates Education
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, initially arranged a mass marriage for the 100 female orphans who lost their parents during banditry attacks in Mariga Local Government Area of the State. The Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, however advocated for efforts to develop the children through education, skills acquisition, and other forms of empowerment.
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Nigerians, in alignment with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, have advocated for the education of the 100 female orphans organized for mass marriage.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, initially arranged a mass marriage for the 100 female orphans who lost their parents during banditry attacks in Mariga Local Government Area of the State. This initiative was part of his constituency projects in the state, slated for May 24, under the premise that it would alleviate poverty in the state.
Contrary to Speaker Sarkindaji's stance, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, during a press briefing held in her office in Abuja, acknowledged the Speaker's gesture. However, she emphasized the importance of considering the future of the children by assessing whether they prefer marriage to education and empowerment.
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The Minister advocated for efforts to develop the children through education, skills acquisition, and other forms of empowerment, highlighting the significant benefits this approach would yield. "The women affairs have decided to take it up, and we are going to educate the children. Those that do not want to go to school, we will train them in a skill," she explained.
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Reflecting the Minister's perspective, Nigerians have expressed their belief that empowering the children through an education scheme would be more beneficial. "What happens to planning their education and empowerment? Is marriage your major priority?" one individual remarked. "Why not sponsor them in school and send them abroad?" another suggested.
