• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Umpirenews | Latest News, Politics, Breaking News, Nigeria and African history
Advertisement
  • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Columns
No Result
View All Result
  • National
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Columns
No Result
View All Result
Umpirenews | Latest News, Politics, Breaking News, Nigeria and African history
No Result
View All Result

Niger Speaker Halts Wedding Plans for 100 Orphan Girls Amid Legal Battle, Sparks Controversy Over Child Rights

Martins Nwakaji by Martins Nwakaji
October 9, 2024
in National, News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
0
Niger Speaker Halts Wedding Plans for 100 Orphan Girls Amid Legal Battle, Sparks Controversy Over Child Rights
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsappShare on EmailShare on Telegram

After much controversy arose around the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji’s decision to fund the weddings of more than 100 girls in his constituency in Mariga Local Government Area, he has decided to suspend his plans.
However, he stated that all the costs incurred and materials purchased for the weddings would be given to the parents of the brides. Sarkindaji mentioned, “If the parents wish to proceed with their daughters’ marriages, that’s their choice, but I am no longer involved.”


The speaker announced his withdrawal from the mass wedding in Minna yesterday, during a press conference to address the misunderstandings caused by his initial intentions.
He expressed disappointment with the Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, accusing her of exaggerating the situation without confirming his motives behind the gesture first.
Sarkindaji clarified, “I am very disappointed in the Minister for Women Affairs. It’s regrettable that she allowed herself to be misled by social media reports without verifying the truth from me regarding this marriage issue. She never reached out to me to understand the reasons behind this humanitarian act because no girl was forced into marriage. It was the parents who approached me seeking support, and I willingly agreed to help.”
He continued, “All necessary consultations with religious and traditional leaders and other important stakeholders were done before carefully selecting 270 brides. However, I informed them I could only support 100 brides for now.


“For the minister to threaten legal action over something she knows nothing about is unfortunate. My actions were approved by parents, religious and traditional leaders, and other stakeholders from my constituency.
“The minister needs to understand that in our culture, girls of marriageable age should not be left to wander the streets. Our religion and traditions prohibit promiscuity in the north. Despite the good intentions behind this initiative, some individuals have chosen to politicize it.”
Sarkindaji expressed dismay that the minister, who has never visited any IDP camps in Niger State due to bandit activities to witness the challenges faced by women and children, is focused on stopping the marriages of orphans whose parents were victims of such attacks.
He criticized, “This is excessive politicking from the minister. She should learn about the customs and traditions of the north, where girls of marriageable age are safeguarded. However, I have decided to step back from the weddings, and if the parents agree to halt the marriages due to the minister’s threats, so be it.


“I have provided the necessary support, and I will not intervene further. If parents choose to stop their children’s marriages because a minister in Abuja threatens legal action, that is their decision.
“I am leaving the minister to deal directly with the parents. Let her go to Mariga and prevent the parents from marrying off their daughters. People are playing politics without understanding the full situation.”
From: Nwakaji Peace Martins

Martins Nwakaji

Martins Nwakaji

Related Posts

APC Chieftain Condemns Rivers State Emergency Rule, Says Nigerians Failed to Act
National

APC Chieftain Condemns Rivers State Emergency Rule, Says Nigerians Failed to Act

5 hours ago
Full text of Tinubu’s reinstating Fubara as Rivers Governor
National

Full text of Tinubu’s reinstating Fubara as Rivers Governor

5 hours ago
Rivers PDP warns Fubara against defecting to APC
National

Rivers Crisis: Oshoma Says Politicians Learnt Nothing from Tinubu’s Emergency Rule

5 hours ago
Umoren Organs Were  Not Missing; Family Denies Organ Harvesting Allegations Against Akpabio
National

NBA Slams Senate Over Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Suspension, Demands Immediate Reinstatement

5 hours ago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

NATIONS NEWS

APC Chieftain Condemns Rivers State Emergency Rule, Says Nigerians Failed to Act
National

APC Chieftain Condemns Rivers State Emergency Rule, Says Nigerians Failed to Act

5 hours ago
Full text of Tinubu’s reinstating Fubara as Rivers Governor
National

Full text of Tinubu’s reinstating Fubara as Rivers Governor

5 hours ago
Rivers PDP warns Fubara against defecting to APC
National

Rivers Crisis: Oshoma Says Politicians Learnt Nothing from Tinubu’s Emergency Rule

5 hours ago
Umoren Organs Were  Not Missing; Family Denies Organ Harvesting Allegations Against Akpabio
National

NBA Slams Senate Over Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Suspension, Demands Immediate Reinstatement

5 hours ago
2027: Other aspirants can contest against Tinubu for presidential ticket — APC
National

FAAC August 2025 Revenue Rises to N2.225tn, Shared Among FG, States and LGAs

6 hours ago
Pensioners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid benefits
National

Pensioners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid benefits

1 day ago

POLITICS

Rivers PDP warns Fubara against defecting to APC

Rivers PDP warns Fubara against defecting to APC

1 day ago
2027: Why Peter Obi may return to PDP

2027: APC engaged in early campaign against electoral act – PDP

1 day ago
APC’s only member in Abia House of Assembly dumps party

APC’s only member in Abia House of Assembly dumps party

1 day ago
2027: We won’t condone members with ulterior motives – ADC

2027: We won’t condone members with ulterior motives – ADC

4 days ago
Peter Obi, El-Rufai Granted Waiver Ahead 2027 Election

10,000 APC, PDP members defect to ADC in Benue

4 days ago
I will break second term jinx in Ekiti – Gov Oyebanji

I will break second term jinx in Ekiti – Gov Oyebanji

1 week ago

YOUR ECONOMY

IMF, World Bank, puppeteers behind Nigeria’s full fuel subsidy removal – Falana
Economy

IMF, World Bank, puppeteers behind Nigeria’s full fuel subsidy removal – Falana

3 days ago
Dangote Refinery Begins Distribution of Petrol Nationwide
Economy

Dangote Refinery begins nationwide distribution of petrol

3 days ago
Dangote Refinery Petrol Price Drops as Direct Fuel Distribution Begins September 15
Economy

Dangote Refinery Petrol Price Drops as Direct Fuel Distribution Begins September 15

6 days ago
Manufacturing and agric sectors decline threaten Nigeria’s industrialisation
Economy

Manufacturing and agric sectors decline threaten Nigeria’s industrialisation

3 weeks ago
FG launches initiative to cut overhead cost
Economy

FG launches initiative to cut overhead cost

4 weeks ago
Grant tax relief to media houses —Ex-NNPCL spokesman tells FG
Economy

Grant tax relief to media houses —Ex-NNPCL spokesman tells FG

4 weeks ago

E & P

Paul Scholes Defends Amorim’s System, Slams Manchester United Recruitment System
Sports

Paul Scholes Defends Amorim’s System, Slams Manchester United Recruitment System

by Steven Atogi
2 days ago
0

Poor Recruitment, Not Amorim’s Tactics, at Fault Manchester United legend Paul Scholes defends manager Ruben Amorim’s system despite the club’s...

Lookman Wins Atalanta Player of the Month of September 2024

Siasia to Chelle: Rely on Lookman, Arokodare

1 week ago
Chelsea Push £78m Fermin Lopez Transfer Bid

Chelsea Push £78m Fermin Lopez Transfer Bid

3 weeks ago
The Rise And Fall Of Sports Institute, Isaka

The Rise And Fall Of Sports Institute, Isaka

4 weeks ago
KTF Launches Free Youth Tennis Clinic in Port Harcourt

KTF Launches Free Youth Tennis Clinic in Port Harcourt

1 month ago
‘It’s a shame’ – Ex-Newcastle striker, Andy Carroll blasts Isak over transfer move

‘It’s a shame’ – Ex-Newcastle striker, Andy Carroll blasts Isak over transfer move

1 month ago

YOUR THOUGHT & HISTORY

HOW MR EAZI, OTEDOLA’S SON-IN-LAW, BUILT AN 18-COUNTRY EMPIRE
Opinion

HOW MR EAZI, OTEDOLA’S SON-IN-LAW, BUILT AN 18-COUNTRY EMPIRE

by Odini Brains
2 weeks ago
Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola: A Love Story That Traveled Three Continents
National

Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola: A Love Story That Traveled Three Continents

by Odini Brains
2 weeks ago
The Rise And Fall Of Sports Institute, Isaka
Columns

The Rise And Fall Of Sports Institute, Isaka

by Tammy Opoki
4 weeks ago
Tribute to Old Port Harcourt Boy (Peter Rufai)
Columns

Tribute to Old Port Harcourt Boy (Peter Rufai)

by Tammy Opoki
2 months ago
A Democracy Strained: Buhari’s Human Rights Record and the Repression of Dissent
Columns

A Democracy Strained: Buhari’s Human Rights Record and the Repression of Dissent

by Odini Brains
2 months ago

Who we are

Umpirenews | Latest News, Politics, Breaking News, Nigeria and African history

Welcome to Umpire News, your go-to online newspaper dedicated to broadening perspectives and expanding the horizons of our numerous readers. Read more

Browse by Category

  • Columns
  • Economy
  • Editorial
  • Entertainment
  • International
  • National
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Trends

Recent News

APC Chieftain Condemns Rivers State Emergency Rule, Says Nigerians Failed to Act

APC Chieftain Condemns Rivers State Emergency Rule, Says Nigerians Failed to Act

September 18, 2025
Full text of Tinubu’s reinstating Fubara as Rivers Governor

Full text of Tinubu’s reinstating Fubara as Rivers Governor

September 18, 2025
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 Copyright Umpirenews. All rights reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Columns

© 2024 Copyright Umpirenews. All rights reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

🤑Join & Get Our Easter Gifts 🤑

Enter your NAME & Email NOW!!

Be among the 1st 100 lucky WINNERS to win our Amazing GIFTs this Easter Period as you READ our Daily hot NEWs & make meaningful comments and follow us on our social media handles.

Name
Enter your email address