The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), in Niger State has requested the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, to look into the plight of 100 orphans to be married out by the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji with the needed empowerment program that will impact on their lives.
In a press statement jointly signed by the Secretary of FIDA and Chairman in Niger State, Senior Magistrate, Safura Abdulkarim and Chief Magistrate Balkisu Kago respectively, noted that the Minister should in the interest of the security of the orphans to use her office to improve the well being of the girls than to engage the Speaker in a legal battle.
According to the press statement the kind hearted gesture of the honorable Speaker of Niger State is more worthy of commendation than the condemnation he has been subjected to by the Minister describing the situation as unacceptable.
“On the issue off the speaker of the Niger state house of assembly granting financial support to the 100 orphans to be married out in mariga local government of Niger state FIDA Niger has carried out it’s discreet investigation and it’s clear that the position of the speaker is commendable.”
The statement further noted that the unnecessary outcry raised by the Minister and other group of people who are not in accurate grasp of the situation, the position of the Speaker is that of good minded Muslim all over,” and what he did was aimed at supporting them to have dignity, security and empowerment.
It observed that the undue and unnecessary publicity of the whole situation has really exposed the girls to be vulnerable to other social vices as the whole world have came to know of a community in Niger State that banditry attacks has brought about high numbers of orphans girls that are vulnerable without parents, skills, education, security, “thereby exposing these girls to child traffickers, kidnapping, GBV, force marriage among other social vices”
“As we cannot deny the fact that we are Muslims and also northerners as marriage of young women is highly encouraged as such provides security, dignity and empowerment to these young women on this, FIDA Niger condemns the unnecessary outcry made by people who are not in any way come to terms with the reality of our culture and religious as Muslims
“We call on the executive governor of Niger state, the Hon Speaker, and the Hon chairman of Mariga Local Government as well as the Hon Minister of Women Affairs to look into the plight of these children and the social havoc the turn out of event have lead the girls to.
“FIDA in Niger, then passionately called on the Minister to show concern and render aid to these girls as, we are steadfast to partner with any well-meaning leader to protect the rights of women and children in Niger state”, the Statement stated.
