The Kano State Hisbah Board has said its mass wedding programme is open to both Muslims and Christians, dismissing the notion that the initiative is exclusively for adherents of Islam.
The Deputy Commander of the board, Mujahideen Aminuddeen, made this known on Wednesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano while explaining the eligibility criteria for prospective participants.
According to him, the programme, popularly known as “Auren Gata,” meaning “marriage for the privileged,” is designed to assist widows, widowers, divorcees, spinsters and bachelors who are unable to afford the cost of marriage.
He disclosed that three Christian couples participated in the last mass wedding conducted in October 2023, adding that preparations were ongoing for another edition, although it was yet to be confirmed whether any Christian couples had registered for the forthcoming exercise.
Programme targets vulnerable residents
Aminuddeen explained that the initiative is aimed at strengthening families, reducing immorality and supporting vulnerable members of society who lack the financial means to get married.
He said one of the objectives of the programme is to encourage lawful marriages in line with religious teachings while also reducing social problems associated with delayed marriages.
According to him, the programme helps discourage street hawking among young girls seeking money for marriage expenses and addresses immoral behaviour linked to economic hardship.
He added that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is giving priority to orphans and underprivileged families, stressing that all beneficiaries undergo screening and verification before being selected.
Stakeholders commend initiative
A stakeholder, Sheikh Muhammad Lawan-Yakub, described the programme as a commendable intervention capable of strengthening family values and promoting social stability.
He expressed confidence that counselling, medical screening and post-marriage guidance provided by the Hisbah Board would contribute to successful marriages and reduce divorce rates.
A Kano resident, Jamila Suraja, also praised the programme for assisting vulnerable families but urged beneficiaries to approach marriage with sincerity rather than viewing it as an opportunity to access government assistance.
Another resident, Hassan Maikadara, said the initiative had created opportunities for many men and women who wished to marry but lacked the financial resources to do so.
Experts highlight economic benefits
Economist Dr Abdulsalam Kani said the initiative could contribute to poverty reduction if properly implemented, noting that empowering beneficiaries would help tackle one of the major causes of divorce in northern Nigeria.
He stressed that empowerment programmes would only be effective if beneficiaries possessed vocational skills or were engaged in productive trades.
Similarly, sociologist Dr Muhammad Hadi-Musa described the initiative as more than a ceremonial event, saying it represents an important social development policy.
According to him, the programme has encouraged simpler and more affordable weddings while demonstrating that government can play an active role in supporting family development beyond infrastructure projects.
Government earmarks N1.5bn for 1,500 couples
Meanwhile, the Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, disclosed that the state government has approved N1.5 billion for the next mass wedding programme, which will cater for 1,500 couples.
He said about 5,000 people applied for the exercise, with 3,000 beneficiaries eventually selected.
According to Daurawa, each groom will receive N100,000 as dowry, while every bride will be given N100,000 as business empowerment capital after the wedding.
He added that beneficiaries would also receive beds, mattresses, furniture and food items, while all prospective couples would undergo HIV, hepatitis B, pregnancy and genotype tests to ensure compatibility and good health before the marriages are conducted.