The Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, has told the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy, to meet in court over the petition to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to stop the planned marriage sponsorship of 100 orphans in his constituency.
Sarkin-daji, while reacting to the letter, described the action of the minister as unfortunate, saying that having been wrongly informed about the development, one needs to consult widely, before taking a stance, especially as it relates to the religious and cultural beliefs of others, so as not to mislead the public.
MUST READ: ASUU issues 2 Weeks strike notice
According to the Speaker, the marriage sponsorship initiative is not part of his constituency project, but a way to alleviate the hardship and expenses incurred by some parents of the girls, and as a result of the terrorism, their fathers may have been killed.
He added that the traditional and religious leaders of Mariga were the ones who handled the plans, but his own was to provide support for the ceremony.
But with the latest development by the Minister of Women Affairs, petitioning him with court injunctions, the marriage will hold as planned, and only his initial absence to grace the occasion, as requested by the organisers will be felt, as he will not withdraw his initial financial support.
Sarkin-Daji further admonished the minister to always consult widely before going to press, maintaining that none of the girls is underaged.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
