The Kano State Hisbah Board has reaffirmed that its mass wedding programme is open to both Muslims and Christians, describing the initiative as a social intervention aimed at strengthening families, reducing poverty, and curbing immoral behaviour.
The Deputy Commander of the Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Mujahideen Aminuddeen, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano. He explained that the programme, popularly known as “Auren Gata” (Marriage for the Privileged), welcomes eligible participants regardless of religious affiliation.
According to Aminuddeen, three Christian couples participated in the last edition of the programme held in October 2023. However, he noted that preparations for the next exercise are still ongoing, making it too early to confirm whether Christian couples have registered for the upcoming event.
He explained that the initiative is designed for widows, widowers, divorcees, bachelors, and spinsters, particularly those facing financial challenges that make marriage difficult.
Aminuddeen said the programme has continued to strengthen family values and reduce immoral practices by encouraging lawful marriages. He added that one of its objectives is to promote the Islamic teaching that encourages marriage and family life.
He also noted that the scheme helps discourage street hawking by young women seeking money for marriage expenses while addressing immoral behaviour linked to delayed marriages caused by economic hardship.
According to him, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration is prioritising orphans and underprivileged families that cannot afford marriage expenses. He stressed that all beneficiaries undergo thorough screening and verification before being selected.
Commenting on the programme, Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad Lawan-Yakub described the initiative as a commendable effort that would strengthen family institutions, protect young people from social vices, and promote stability within communities.
He expressed confidence that the counselling, medical screening, and post-marriage guidance offered by the Hisbah Board would improve the success of the marriages and reduce divorce rates.
A Kano resident, Jamila Suraja, said the programme has supported many vulnerable families but urged beneficiaries to approach marriage with sincerity rather than viewing it as a means of accessing government assistance.
Another resident, Hassan Maikadara, said the initiative has created opportunities for financially disadvantaged men and women to marry, adding that it would help many young people avoid immoral acts.
Economist Dr. Abdulsalam Kani said the programme could stimulate economic activities if properly implemented. He explained that empowering beneficiaries would help reduce poverty and unemployment, which he identified as major contributors to the high rate of divorce in northern Nigeria.
He stressed that empowerment initiatives would be more effective if beneficiaries possessed vocational skills or were already engaged in productive trades.
Similarly, sociologist Dr. Muhammad Hadi-Musa described the mass wedding scheme as more than a ceremonial event, saying it represents a broader social development strategy.
According to him, the programme has become one of the most visible social intervention initiatives in Northern Nigeria by helping low-income individuals formalise relationships that might otherwise be delayed due to financial constraints.
Hadi-Musa added that the initiative has encouraged simpler and more affordable wedding ceremonies, reducing the pressure associated with extravagant celebrations while reinforcing the role of government in supporting family welfare.
Earlier, the Commander-General of the Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, announced that the Kano State Government had earmarked ₦1.5 billion for the next phase of the programme, which will benefit 1,500 couples.
He said about 5,000 people applied for the exercise, with 3,000 successful applicants expected to participate as 1,500 couples.
Daurawa disclosed that all prospective couples would undergo medical screening, including tests for HIV, hepatitis B, genotype, and pregnancy, to ensure compatibility and good health. He added that every groom must demonstrate a means of livelihood and provide accommodation before qualifying.
Under the scheme, each groom will receive ₦100,000 to present as dowry to his bride, while every bride will receive ₦100,000 as business empowerment support.
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The government will also provide each couple with household items, including beds, mattresses, furniture, and food supplies, with an estimated expenditure of about ₦1 million per couple.
Daurawa further stated that participants in the programme are not permitted to divorce their spouses without the consent of the Hisbah Board.
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