Says initiative promotes strong families, supports the less privileged and curbs immorality

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Deputy Commander of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Mujahideen Aminuddeen, has said the Kano State Government’s mass wedding programme is open to both Muslims and Christians who meet the required conditions.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he disclosed that three Christian couples participated in the last edition held in October 2023, adding that it is too early to confirm whether Christians will take part in the forthcoming exercise.

Aminuddeen explained that the programme, popularly known as Auren Gata (marriage for the privileged), is meant for widows, widowers, divorcees, bachelors and unmarried women. According to him, the initiative is designed to strengthen families, encourage lawful marriages and reduce immoral behaviour in society.

He said one of the major goals of the programme is to fulfil the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who encouraged Muslims to marry and raise families. He added that the initiative also helps reduce street hawking by young women seeking money for marriage expenses and addresses immoral acts often associated with delayed marriages caused by financial hardship.

According to him, the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf is giving priority to orphans and people from less privileged families who cannot afford marriage expenses. He said all beneficiaries are carefully screened and verified before they are selected for the programme.

Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad Lawan-Yakub described the initiative as a commendable one, saying it would strengthen families, protect young people from immoral behaviour and promote social stability. He expressed confidence that the counselling, medical screening and post-marriage guidance provided by the board would help build stable homes and reduce divorce cases.

Some residents also commended the programme. Jamila Suraja said it has brought relief to many vulnerable families and urged beneficiaries to approach marriage with sincerity. She, however, expressed concern that some couples in previous batches allegedly joined the programme mainly to benefit from government support rather than build lasting families.

Another resident, Hassan Maikadara, said the initiative has enabled many people who could not afford marriage to get married while helping young people stay away from immoral acts.

Economist Dr. Abdulsalam Kani said the programme could also improve economic activities if properly implemented. He noted that empowering beneficiaries would help reduce poverty and unemployment, which he described as major causes of divorce in northern Nigeria. He added that the empowerment package would be more effective if beneficiaries already possess vocational skills or are engaged in a trade.

Sociologist Dr. Muhammad Hadi-Musa said the initiative should be seen as more than a welfare or ceremonial programme. According to him, it has become one of the most visible social intervention programmes in northern Nigeria by helping low-income people formalise their marriages, promoting simpler and more affordable weddings, encouraging responsible family values and showing that governments can also invest in family development.

Earlier, the Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, announced that the state government has approved ₦1.5 billion for this year’s mass wedding involving 1,500 couples (3,000 beneficiaries).

He said about 5,000 people applied, while successful applicants are undergoing HIV, hepatitis B, pregnancy and genotype tests. He added that every groom must have a means of livelihood and provide accommodation before approval.

Daurawa further disclosed that each groom will receive ₦100,000 as dowry for his bride, while every bride will receive ₦100,000 as business empowerment. The government will also provide beds, mattresses, furniture and food items for each couple, spending about ₦1 million per marriage. He added that couples who marry under the programme cannot divorce without the consent of the Hisbah Board.

Source: News Agency Nigeria