The Minister for women affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye has given 10 Points of Service (POS) Machines to the 100 Brides from Mariga local government area of Niger State whose mass wedding is being supported by Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji.
The minister announced the empowerment scheme on Wednesday at the palace of the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau Muazu with all the 100 intending Brides in attendance.
Other empowerment scheme according to the minister includes 350 bags of 10kg rice, 100 wrappers and a promise of scholarship to University level for those willing to go back to school.
Mrs. Uju who was resented by her Special Assistant on private sector, Engineer Adaji Usman also directed that bank account be open 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 husband houses.
The minister blamed the media for escalating the initial controversy surrounding the marriage of the 100 girls, saying that she did not intend to stop the marriage but to be sure if the girls are of marriageable age and we're not being forced into it.
According to her every parents will want to marry out their wards if they attain the right age for marriage, adding that her initial opposition to the planned marriage was misunderstood, hence the media war between her office and speaker, stressing however that she thanked the speaker for the way and manner the issue was handled, and through the traditional institution in the state.
She promised that the girls will be closely monitored in their various husband houses so that the objectives of the empowerment scheme will not be defeated, adding that "the ministry will follow this up with skill acquisitions on their trade of interest to further empower them.
In his remarks at the occasion the speaker, RT Hon Abdulmalik Sarkindaji revealed that the entire drama over his intention to support the marriage of the 100, mostly orphans, was politically motivated adding that "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 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 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.
"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".
Sarkindaji pointed out that he will continue to do his best for the good of the people of his Constituency, stressing that "I Will not be deterred by the dirty politics anybody wants to play. The welfare and the well-being of my people is my primary responsibility and I will not shy away from it.
"Those who need this assistance to enable them settle down are over 100 but I just picked these ones because that is what my resources can take for now but in no distance time we will come up with a comprehensive plans for the remaining ones and this will be done in conjunction with the ministry for women affairs and other critical stakeholders to avoid this ugly experience".
Also speaking the Emir, Alhaji Mohammed Barau Muazu thank God for the peaceful resolution of the matter that had unsettled the Emirate in the last two weeks, saying "the whole drama was as a result of misunderstanding and lack of communication".
The Emir thanked the minister for empowerment scheme rolled out for the girls and assured her that it will be utilized for the purpose they were given.
He equally thanked the state governor Rt Hon Umar Mohammed Bago for his leadership role in handling the matter and his contributions towards the empowerment of the Brides.
The Emir disclosed that 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.
