No fewer than 1,500 widows and young women were married under the Kano State Mass Wedding Programme coordinated by the Kano State Hisbah Board.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, who officiated at the ceremony held on Friday, described the initiative as a major social intervention designed to restore hope, strengthen family institutions and promote moral values across the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa.
During the ceremony held at the Emir of Kano’s Palace, Yusuf represented the first groom during the marriage solemnisation by formally seeking the bride’s hand in marriage from the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who accepted the proposal in line with Islamic injunctions.
“This programme reflects our administration’s commitment to supporting vulnerable citizens by easing the financial burden associated with marriage and creating opportunities for dignified family life in accordance with Islamic principles and the rich cultural heritage of Kano,” the governor said in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa.
As part of the government’s support package, each groom will receive 10 yards of shadda fabric, a cap, a bag of rice and a jerrycan of cooking oil to assist them as they begin married life.
Each bride will also receive N200,000 for dowry and business support, alongside household items including a bed, mattress, wardrobe, dressing mirror, blankets, bed sheets and a centre rugs.
Sanusi delivered the Friday sermon, urging the newly married couples to build their homes on the values of faith, patience, mutual respect and compassion.
“Peaceful families remain the foundation of a stable and prosperous society. I urge every couple to uphold the virtues of understanding, tolerance and responsibility in their marriages,” the emir said.
The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Aminu Daurawa, said all the beneficiaries underwent thorough screening and counselling before the marriages were conducted.
“We ensured that all religious and legal requirements were fulfilled before the marriages were solemnised. The beneficiaries were properly screened and counselled to prepare them for successful family life,” Daurawa said.
The Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zahraddeen, offered prayers for Allah’s guidance, blessings and lasting harmony in the homes of the newly married couples.
Some of the beneficiaries also expressed appreciation to the governor, describing the programme as a life-changing opportunity that had enabled them to begin a new chapter of their lives with dignity and hope.
