Outcry Over Mass Marriage Plans for 100 Nigerian Orphans Sparks Legal Battle
LAGOS, NIGERIA – Outrage has erupted in Nigeria as reports surface of plans by religious leaders and a state lawmaker to organize a mass marriage ceremony for 100 girls and young women, sparking a fierce backlash and legal action.
The controversial plans, disclosed by Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, speaker of the national assembly in Niger state, have drawn condemnation from Nigeria’s women’s affairs minister, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye. Kennedy-Ohanenye vowed to seek a court injunction to halt the ceremony, expressing concerns about the girls’ welfare and legality of the event, particularly if any of the participants are minors.
Sarkindaji defended the initiative, stating that the girls are orphans whose parents fell victim to attacks by kidnapping gangs in northern Nigeria. He pledged to cover dowries for the brides.
In response to the uproar, Concerned Nigerian Citizens launched a petition demanding the cancellation of the forced marriages and urging the government to prioritize the education and empowerment of the girls. The petition has garnered over 7,000 signatures within a short period.
Despite mounting pressure, Sarkindaji and the Imams Forum of Niger remain steadfast in their decision to proceed with the marriage ceremony on May 24.
While the ages of the girls have not been disclosed, the lawmakers and religious leaders assert that none are underage. Attempts to verify the claims or speak to the girls directly have been unsuccessful.
Child marriages are prevalent in northern Nigeria, where poverty rates are high. Although the legal age of marriage is 18 under federal law, states can set their own regulations. While Niger’s legal marriage age aligns with federal law, Sharia law, practiced in the state, permits marriage upon reaching puberty.
In a further twist, the Imams Forum threatened legal action against Kennedy-Ohanenye for her statements suggesting the girls were minors, giving her seven days to retract her remarks.
As tensions escalate, Nigeria finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with fundamental questions of child rights, religious traditions, and the role of the state in safeguarding vulnerable populations.
The outcome of this contentious saga will have far-reaching implications for the future of child welfare in the country.
source: U.S.NEWS
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