In a bid to support vulnerable women and promote family stability, the Kebbi State Government organized a mass wedding for 300 couples at the Emir of Gwandu’s Palace on Thursday.
The event, coordinated in partnership with the Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS), aimed to assist widowed and divorced women, easing their burden of providing for themselves and their children.
Governor Nasir Idris, who oversaw the ceremony, announced that the state had contributed a total of N54 million for dowries — N180,000 per couple. Prior to the wedding, the men and women underwent genotype testing, and the brides were screened to ensure they were not pregnant.
The governor praised his wife, Nafisa Nasir-Idris, for her efforts in organizing the event through her foundation, which received state support with his approval. He also revealed plans for an even larger mass wedding next year as part of his administration’s social responsibility efforts.
He encouraged the newlyweds to cultivate patience and tolerance in their marriages, emphasizing that enduring challenges together strengthens relationships.
“The importance of marriage cannot be over-emphasised as it will promote peace among the couples and will also enable them to get more blessings and God’s mercy,” Idris stated.
The Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Iliyasu-Bashar, was represented by the Magajin Garin Gwandu, Alhaji Aminullahi Umar, who acted as the guardian for the brides. Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar-Ganduje, stood in as the representative for the grooms.
Additionally, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, gifted each couple N50,000, totaling N15 million.
Islamic clerics, including Sheikh Mukhtar Abdullahi, the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque in Birnin Kebbi, along with Mallam Ahmad S/Fawa and Mallam Muhammadu Yahaya, officiated the marriage rites.
Prominent scholars like Prof. Mansur Isah-Yelwa and Sheikh Abdurrahman Isa-Jega delivered sermons, advising couples to embrace love, loyalty, and mutual respect while fulfilling their marital obligations.
The state government provided each couple with essential household items, including furniture, bedding, and kitchen utensils. In addition, the governor’s wife donated N20,000 to both the husband and wife, totaling N12 million, with an equal contribution from Bello Ka’oje, a House of Representatives member representing Suru/Bagudo Federal Constituency.
