A total of 300 couples comprising 600 brides and grooms, are set to be joined in holy matrimony on the 27th of July, in the third Kebbi mass wedding, sponsored by the state government.
The initiative was instituted by the wife of the governor, Nafisa Nasir Idris, under her NANAS Foundation, with the necessary moral and material support by Governor Nasir Idris.
At a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi, Tuesday, the chairman of the Main Mass Wedding Committee, former Kebbi deputy governor, Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, said the government has taken the responsibility of off-setting the total cost of N75 million dowry for the entire couples.
“The government is paying N250,000 bride price for each of the 300 couples, in addition to the provision of beds and beddings, furniture, household utensils and foodstuffs to them.
“This is the third time the government has organised mass weddings in Kebbi, specifically targeting female orphans of marriage age, widows and divorcees.
“All the brides were given the liberty to select grooms of their own choice, from the 225 wards spread throughout the 21 local government areas of the state.
“As a multi religious society, the government welcomes adherents of both Islam and Christianity to participate in weddings after meeting the prescribed conditions including DNA test,” Jarman Kabi said.