The Kano State Government has allocated N1.5 billion for a mass wedding programme involving 1,500 couples.
The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, announced the development during a press briefing in Kano on Monday, saying preparations for the exercise had reached an advanced stage.
According to Daurawa, the initiative is one of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s key social welfare programmes aimed at easing the financial burden of marriage while strengthening family values.
He disclosed that all intending couples were undergoing mandatory medical screening, including tests for HIV, hepatitis, genotype compatibility and pregnancy, to ensure healthy and sustainable marriages.
Daurawa said each couple would receive a package worth N1 million, consisting of household items such as beds, mattresses, bed sheets, pillows, cupboards and food items.
“Mass wedding was one of the promises made by His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the people of Kano, and today he has fulfilled that promise,” Daurawa said.
“He has approved N1.5 billion for 1,500 beneficiaries, with each couple receiving furniture, food items and empowerment support.”
He further explained that every bride would be provided with N100,000 as start-up capital for a small business, while each groom would receive N100,000 to support the payment of marriage dowry.
Daurawa disclosed that more than 5,000 people applied for the programme, but only 3,000 prospective beneficiaries would proceed after the ongoing medical screening, from which the final 1,500 couples would be selected.
He noted that all logistical arrangements for the ceremony had been completed and that the Hisbah Board was awaiting Governor Yusuf’s official announcement of the wedding date.
The Hisbah chief also revealed that beneficiaries would be required to seek intervention from the Board before initiating divorce proceedings, describing the measure as part of efforts to preserve marriages and encourage peaceful conflict resolution.
