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FIDA calls on Women Affairs Minister to assist 100 girls in controversial mass wedding in Niger
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.
Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho, has congratulated Muslim faithful for the successful completion of this year Ramadan fast, urging them to celebrate the Sallah in love, and unity across our communities.
Echocho in a statement madeavailable to CAPITALPOST in Lokoja o Sunday, described the Ramadan period as stressful, but deserving, because it is the only period for spiritual reflection on abstinence from immorality, sincere sacrifice and supplications to Allah.
He added that, Ramadan symbolises Allah’s way of teaching humanity on virtuous living, where people keep away from all forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience and deprivation they suffers daily.
He task Muslims to extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.
“Let’s seek peace at all times and promote unity of purpose in our society” the Lawmaker demanded.
“May the celebration brings sustainable peace to our homes, my district, Kogi State and Nigeria, he concluded.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
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