From El-Yakub Dabai, Birnin Kebbi
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State on Sunday, presided over the mass wedding of 300 couples in Birnin Kebbi which took place at the Palace of the Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar.
The event which was the first of its kind since the creation of the state was organised by the Nafisa Nasir Development Foundation, NANAS, a pet project of the wife of the Governor, Hajiya Nafisa Nasir Idris.
Represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Usman Ankwe, the Governor announced that such mass wedding would be held periodically to assist less privileged men and women to be joined as husbands and wives.
Governor Idris said his administration provided a total sum of N21 million as dowry for the 300 brides from the 21 local Government Areas of the State.
Each bride was given the sum of N70,000 as dowry besides room furniture and foodstuffs to all the couples to consolidate on their marital relationship.
The Governor commended his wife, Hajiya Nafisa for striving hard to actualise the mass wedding which was the first of its kind in Kebbi State to reduce the number of divorcees and assist less privileged men to have spouses.
In her speech, the wife of the Governor, Hajiya Nafisa Idris expressed immense appreciation to her husband for providing the necessary moral and material support that made the mass wedding possible.
She however advised the couples to respect one another as well as protect individual rights and privileges between husband and wife to have a successful family.
Hajiya Nafisa informed the married couples that her foundation in collaboration with Kebbi State Government would teach them skill acquisition on various trades to enable them engage in profitable ventures for self reliance.
She thanked all stakeholders involved in the organisation of the event.
She explained that, the 300 couples joined in wedlock were selected from all the 21 local Government Areas of the State and were screened for any underlying health issue of which they were all found to be healthy.
Islamic Scholars comprising of the Director General, Hisbah Board, Kano, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, Professor Mansur Isah Yelwa, Sheikh Mustapha Yawale Jega, Sheikh Abubakar Yusuf Yauri, Sarkin Malaman Yauri and Sheikh Umar Isah Magaji, enlightened the gathering on the commandments of the Noble Prophet, SAW, on marital relationship between husband and wife which must be adhered to.
