Nigerian state set for another mass wedding

MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH/Kano

All is set for the second phase of the Nigerian Kano state mass wedding for 250 couples slated for today as concerned individuals and non-governmental organizations have continued to donate in cash and kind to promote the promote the project initiated by Kano state Government in northwest Nigeria.

According to the Directior-General of Hisbah Board, Malam Abba Saa’d Sufi who spoke exclusively to P.M.NEWS this morning; the number of couples to benefit from the mass wedding has been increased from 1000 to 4000.

“I must tell you that His Excellency, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso is impressed over the success of the mass wedding; and for this reason, he has increased the number from 1000 to 4000 couples designed to come in phases.

“Ordinary, we were suppose to wed 100 couples at a time, but because of the latest decision by His Excellency, we decided to increase the number to 250,” he said, adding that already, governments of Katsina and Sokoto states have sent emissaries, “to learn from us how we have been able to make the project a huge success.”

Sufi also added that the mass wedding is no longer restricted to widows and divorces alone, “we have decided to include spinsters; and we are choosing five couples each from all the 44 local government areas. We did this to ensure that all the local government areas benefit from the project geared towards enhancing love and peace among families and to discourage marital violence.”

The Hisbah boss said his agency has continued to receive support from private organizations and concerned individuals who are eager to ensure the sustenance of the mass wedding.

“We are partnering with the National Action Committee on Aids to ensure proper screening of prospective couples. We also have a committee in all the 44 Local Government Areas comprising of traditional rulers, local government authorities, security agencies and Hisbah representatives to ensure that those who are to benefit from the marriage are the people made for it.”

Among individuals and private organizations who have donated for the project include wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Amina Sambo who gave out 150 sewing machines, Almawash Farm promised three crates of egg each to the couples, Airtel promised to provide each couples with two handsets and two Sim Cards, while Jafa Foam, makers of Uniform has promised to donate 10 mattresses and 20 pillows.

While the state government is to provide food items and furniture including the sum of N20, 000 each to the couples, business mogul, Sheikh Ishyaku Rabiu has promised to pay the dowry of 100 couples, just as his two sons, Abdulsamad and Karami are to foot the dowries of 100 and 50 couples respectively.