MURIC Disapproves of Minister’s Attempt to Stop 100 Orphan Marriages by Niger Speaker

The Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has been urged by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) to rescind her lawsuit and petition against the planned sponsorship of the marriage of one hundred orphaned girls in Niger State.

Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, the Chairman of the Kano State Chapter of MURIC, made the demand on Thursday, claiming that the minister’s actions were an attempt to disparage the customs and culture of the Muslim North.

He contended that the marriage plan, which was supported by Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, was a sincere attempt to help orphan girls who had lost their parents to insurgency and banditry.

Indabawa said that the minister’s decision to go to court and ask the Inspector General of Police was outside the purview of her ministry. She also allegedly tried to demonize Sarkin-Daji and change public sentiment against the institution of marriage, according to him.

May 24, 2024, is the planned date of the marriage ceremony. Nigerians have been advised by MURIC to support initiatives to assist society’s most disadvantaged citizens and respect one another’s customs and cultures.