The proposed mass wedding of 100 orphans in Mariga local government area of Niger State held on Friday privately.

The wedding initially meant to be mass with pomp and pageantry later held privately because of the attention it attracted.

One of the traditional leaders, Alhaji Shehu Iliyasu, confirmed the orphans were given to their suitors separately .

This, he said, was to convince the world they had no ulterior motive in organising it.

One of the parents of the brides, Mallama Amina Mariga, while receiving the bride items of bed, sewing machine, food items, kitchen utensils and others, appreciated everyone who made the wedding of her daughter successful.

She said left to her, she would not have been able to provide such materials for the daughter to take to her husband’s house.

The village heads, communities leaders and all well wishers wished the bride a happy life in various matrimonial homes.

Last Wednesday, Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, met with parents, brides,, grooms and traditional rulers at the Palace of the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau Muazu.

She gave 10 Points of Service (POS) Machines to some of the 100 brides with 350 bags of 10kg rice, 100 wrappers and a promise of scholarship to University level for the girls willing to go back to school.

Ohanenye, who was represented by her Special Assistant on Private Sector, Engineer Adaji Usman, also directed bank accounts be opened for all the 100 intending brides where a stipend will be sent to them for the next six months to enable them settle down in their matrimonial homes..

The Minister explained she did not intend to stop the marriage but needed to be sure if the girls were of marriageable age and not forced into it.

She said that her initial opposition to the planned marriage was misunderstood, which led to a media war between her office and Speaker.

She promised that the girls will be closely monitored in their new homes so that the objectives of the empowerment scheme will not be defeated.

Niger Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkindaji said that his intention to support the marriage of the 100, mostly orphans was not politically motivated, stating “I decided to support the marriage out of genuine concern for these girls majority of whom are orphan as a result of insecurity in my Constituency. It was with a pure heart.

“They misinformed the Minister that I am playing politics with the lives of the children by forcing them into marriage. And the Minister, because of her passion for women and the girl child quickly waded into the matter even though she could not find out the through position of the things and the media began to amplify the whole matter.

“But thank God, today I have been vindicated, the Minister and the whole world have seen that these girls are of marriageable age and nobody is forcing them into it. It is being done through their consents.

“I equally commend the Minister for this empowerment scheme for the girls, she has shown that she is a mother and really meant well for the girl child in this country”.

The Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau Muazu appreciated God and everyone involved for the peaceful resolution of the matter that had unsettled the Emirate in the last two weeks.

The Emir appreciated the Minister for empowerment scheme to the girls assuring her that it will be utilizsed for the purpose they were given.

The Emir also informed all the necessary medical tests, including HIV/AIDS, Genotype, Hepatitis B and pregnancy were conducted and the results handed over to the representatives of the Minister. (The Nation)

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