News
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.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Less than twenty-four hours to the start of voting in Saturday’s governorship poll in Edo State, a rash of fake news has broken out.
Leading parties in the election have had their fair shares of fake news either indicating the withdrawal of their candidates or disqualification by a Magistrate Court or Supreme Court.
For instance, Olumide Akpata of LP was said to have withdrawn from the race and thrown his support for Asue Ighodalo in a statement that read smoothly and appeared convincing.
THE CONCLAVE sent the statement to Akpata via WhatsApp for confirmed.
He responded by sending the same statement with FAKE NEWS boldly stamped on it.
He said he was set for victory at the poll.
There was also a news flash about the Supreme Court disqualifying Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, with a sign off: More details coming….
A Magistrate Court in Abuja was also reported to have disqualified Monday Okpebholo of the APC from the poll on account of age falsification.
The APC campaign organisation had swiftly put a lie to the report by deploying the court papers in the circumstance.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Barely 24hours to governorship election in Edo State, no fewer than two governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday arrived Benin City.
The governors, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Kefas Agbu of Taraba, arrived the state to mobilise support for the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Fintiri made this known in a post on his social media page on Friday evening.
He said : “Just touched down in Edo State alongside my brother, Gov. Agbu Kefas, ahead of the September 21st gubernatorial election. We stand united in support of our Official PDP Nigeria candidate, Asue ighodalo, for a brighter future.”
Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is the PDP leader in the state, had earlier cried out over alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress to rig the election.
As at the time of filling this report, it was unclear if other PDP governors would also hit the state for the election
……. As Speed Darlington queries Afrobeats singer, Burna Boy over his Grammy win.
By Ojomah Austin.
Controversial Nigerian rapper, Speed Darlington has sparked controversy with his claims that Burna Boy’s Grammy Award win can be attributed to the influential role of American rapper and entrepreneur, P. Diddy.
Amid allegations against US rapper, P.Diddy, resulting in his arrest, Speed Darlington suggested that Burna Boy had an intimate relationship with Diddy which paved the way for him to win the Grammy.
Speed Darlington’s bold and contentious assertion comes amidst recent allegations surrounding Diddy, who was reportedly arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on charges of human trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
In a provocative Instagram video, Speed Darlington credited Diddy for Burna Boy’s rapid ascent to international fame and Grammy success, highlighting the American rapper’s significant impact on Burna Boy’s music career.
Speed Darlington openly challenged Burna Boy to disclose the nature of his relationship with Diddy. Suggesting an amorous relationship between the duo, he blatantly asked Burna Boy to reveal how many bottles of oil Diddy used on his buttocks before he was able to win a Grammy.
In his words:
“It wasn’t long after Burna Boy posted a photo of him and Diddy that he won a Grammy Award. Burna Boy, don’t be offended, but how many oils did Diddy use on your nyash before they gave you the Grammy Award?”.
In response to Speed Darlington’s video, One @oluchukwu_____ wrote: “Akpis confidence need to be studied 😂😂.”
vibe_with_fiona wrote: “When burna comes for him,make una no say burna too do o?”
godson_allsom wrote: “If there is Grammy for comedians 😂 akpi for done win like 10.”
official_kahlan wrote: “Presido I don tire to defend you 😂 ga zu ike 🙄.”
asikosharon50 wrote: “Very anyhow talk, Burnaboy won Grammy for his hard work and talent . If na Diddy dey share Grammy why him own Artist for him label nor dey win the Grammy? Na him be say Tems dey and wizkid sef they nick people dem work with naa, useless talk …”
jaytee_yna wrote: “I’m a big fan of Akpi but this is so irrelevant and irresponsible. Burna’s hardwork & God’s grace gave him the Grammy. Okbye!”
lorah_irez wrote: “If person never bèat akpi he no go rest, wetin be this na 😂😂😂.”
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Speed Darlington taunt Burna Boy about his grammy award (+Video)
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