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Tinubu’s Minister backs Niger orphan mass wedding, to undergo HIV tests
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, on Thursday, announced scholarships and gave various gift items to 100 orphaned girls in Niger State, ahead of their mass wedding, the mass wedding is being sponsored by the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji.
The orphans will also undergo various medical tests including HIV.
Recall the minister had kicked against the mass wedding of the young girls, saying it was a violation of the Child Rights Act.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, who addressed a press conference in Abuja, noted that she had petitioned the Inspector General of Police to stop the wedding, adding that she also filed a lawsuit, seeking an injunction to restrain the Speaker from going ahead with the mass wedding.
In response, the Speaker lambasted the minister for dabbling into a religious and cultural issue she did not understand.
He said the minister acted without first making any effort to understand the circumstances that confronted the girls, which made it necessary for their weddings to be sponsored.
The Speaker also received the backing of the Niger State Council of Imams and the Muslim Rights Concern, which both warned the minister to steer clear of the mass wedding, which they insisted must go on as scheduled.
Ahead of the mass wedding, the minister, represented by her Special Assistant on Private Sector, Adaji Usman, was in Niger to announce scholarships for the girls and to also give them other items, such as wrappers and foodstuffs.
The items were given out to the 100 young girls at the palace of the Emir of Kontagora, Mohammed Muazu.
The minister, through Usman, presented 10 Point of Sale machines, 100 wrappers and 350 bags of 10kg bags of rice.
She announced a scholarship to university level for any of the girls who wish to go to school.
Also, the Emir of Kontagora announced the donation of a sewing machine to each of the girls
Kennedy-Ohanenye also directed that 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 to settle down in their husband’s houses
She blamed the media for escalating the initial controversy surrounding the marriage of the 100 orphans, saying “I did not intend to stop the marriage but to be sure if the girls are of marriageable age and were not being forced into it.
“Every parent will want to marry out her wards if they attain the right age for marriage. The initial opposition to the planned marriage was misunderstood, hence the media war between my office and the Speaker’s.”
While thanking the Speaker for the way the issue was handled, the minister promised that the girls would be closely monitored in their various husband’s houses so that the objectives of the empowerment scheme would not be defeated.
In his remarks, the Speaker said it was regrettable that this intention to support the marriage of the 100 girls was politicised.
He said, “It was pure politics from my constituency. 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 true position of 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 with their consent.
“I decided to support the marriage out of genuine concern for these girls, the majority of whom are orphans as a result of the insecurity in my constituency. It was with a pure heart.
“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.”
In his remarks, the Emir thanked God for the peaceful resolution of the matter.
He disclosed that all the necessary medical tests, including HIV/AIDS, genotype, Hepatitis B and pregnancy tests, were conducted and the results were handed over to the representatives of the minister.
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, will on Monday, this week, embark on the commissioning of six road projects executed in the six Area Councils in the FCT.
Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement on Sunday, that the projects commissioning will kick off tomorrow, with the newly constructed 5km Naharati- River Ukya to Unguwan Hausawa Road with three Span River Bridge in Abaji Area Council.
He said; “On Tuesday, 11km Yangoji-Sukuku-Ebo Road, in Kwali Area Council, will be commissioned while the rehabilitated 9km Paikon Kore-Ibwa Road within Gwagwalada Area Council, will be commissioned on Wednesday.
“Commissioning of the Asphalt Carriageway from Garage Junction to Local Education Authority Secretariat in Kuje Area Council is on Thursday, with that of the Gaba-Tokulo Road in Bwari Area Council, which was constructed with a two Span River Bridge is slated for Friday.
“The Access Road to Saburi I and II communities in the Abuja Municipal Area Council from ONEX to Old Keffi Road near Dei-Dei International Market will be commissioned on Wednesday, January 29.”
Speaking on newly flagged off projects, the FCT Minister’s Spokesperson said; “New road projects like the construction of Kabusa-Takushara Access Road, construction of Kabusa-Ketti Access Road, access road to the new EFCC Academy site in Giri District and 15km Road from A2 Junction Abuja-Lokoja Road to Pia in Kwali Area Council are going on as, with completion date expected to be met.
“Other ongoing projects are; reconstruction of the 25km Kwaita/Yebu road in Kwali Area Council, rehabilitation of the Old Ushafa- LUD Road and Dutse-Lower Usuma Dam Dual Carriage in Bwari Area Council, construction of 11km Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market Road in Gwagwalada Area Council and Dakibiyu District Dual Carriage Road.
“Also ongoing are; 11km Kuje Road, Full Scope Development of 4km Arterial Road N5(Obafemi Awolowo Road) from Life Camp to Ring Road III, arterial road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with two interchanges and 11.3km Access Road to the Judges Quarters in Katampe from Arterial Road N11 (Ahmadu Bello Way in Mabushi).”
News
Niger Explosion: FFS CG Warns Fuel Station Owners, Tankers Operators To Address Drivers’ Recklessness
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji, has called on fuel station owners and tanker operators to take immediate action in addressing reckless driving by their drivers, especially on major roads and dangerous bends.
The call followed the tragic fuel tanker explosion in Niger State that claimed over 60 lives and left many others severely injured.
Jaji while
speaking to journalists, reiterated the need for an urgent review of safety protocols governing fuel transportation across the nation.
The Controller-General while expressing concern over the frequent tanker explosions and fuel station incidents in the country, warned that even a small static spark or gas leak can result in rapid, deadly explosions.
Jaji who highlighted the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, noted that it has a highly fatal risk.
“Fuel vapors and leaks can ignite at any moment,” he cautioned.
He said: “Your life is worth more than a few litres of fuel,” warning that approaching a fuel spill is not only dangerous but could be fatal.
He urged the public to avoid accident sites and instead contact the Federal Fire Service for prompt intervention.
The Fire Service boss also called on Nigerians, particularly operators of fuel stations, gas refilling plants, and users of gas cylinders, to strictly follow safety measures to prevent further catastrophe.
Jaji however extended his condolences to the families affected by the recent tragedy and commended the first responders for their dedication, which he described as a testament to the nation’s resilience.
He expressed his heartfelt prayers for those grieving, asking for divine strength to help them cope with their loss.
He took the time to express the importance of prioritizing safety and public awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Every life is precious, and we must do everything in our power to protect our citizens,” he urged.
He reiterated the Federal Fire Service’s commitment to enhancing safety awareness and called for the swift passage of the Fire Service Act of 1963, which is currently under review at the National Assembly.
He argued that the outdated law is inadequate to address current fire safety challenges and needs to be modernized to better regulate fire safety measures and reduce incidents like this in the future.
Again, NDLEA operatives have proven that there’s no hiding place for hard drug peddlers as a nursing student was nabbed over attempt to ingest 76 wraps of drugs.
Naijablitznews reports that the video clip captured the student counting such a large quantity of hard drugs she wanted to ingest.
WATCH clip below:
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