Niger Speaker to marry 100 females orphaned by banditry

Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sakindaji, planned to marry 100 females who lost their parents due to bandit attacks. These bandit attacks happened in the Mariga Local Government Area.

Mr. Abdulmalik revealed his plans to media reporters on May 10, 2024, in the state capital of Minna. He promised to cover the dowries of the bridegroom. Moreover, he has acquired all the mandatory stuff for the large-scale marriage celebration.

Speaker Abdulmalik said he carefully chose selective girls from the submitted names of 170 girls to marry them. He was not aware of the age range of the chosen orphaned girls.

Niger Speaker also revealed that 100 orphaned females whom he planned to marry would be under the guardianship of Mohammad Umar and Alhaji Mohammad Barau. Umar is the governor of Niger State, while Alhaji is the emir of Kontagora.

Abdulmalik plans to marry on May 24 at Bangi at the headquarters of Mariga Local Government Area. Sheikh Aminu Daurawa will also reportedly attend the mass marriage ceremony. Sheikh Aminu is the Commander General of the Hisbah Board for the Kano State.

However, it is significant to note that Niger Speaker Abdulmalik is not going to marry orphan females for the first time. Representative of Kebbi State House of Assembly, Sani Yakubu Noma, married 100 orphaned females in November 2023.

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He said he had already managed beds, mattresses, necessary furniture, and other matrimonial items for the females. He referred to the marriage plans as gifts to the cause of the orphan’s well-being.

Sani also stated he established a committee to ensure the successful organization of the mass marriage event. He chose females from two local government areas where he served in the National Assembly.

However, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) reports that this is not the first time government officials will marry orphan girls. Nigerian government considers these marriages as a contribution to the welfare of less privileged society members.