By Maryam Shuaibu
The Kano State Government has approved ₦1.5 billion for a mass wedding programme involving 1,500 couples under a social welfare initiative aimed at supporting marriage among residents of the state.
The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Corps, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Kano, saying preparations for the exercise were already at an advanced stage.
According to him, the programme will include mandatory premarital medical screening for intending couples, covering tests such as HIV, hepatitis, genotype compatibility and pregnancy checks.
Daurawa explained that each couple will receive items worth about ₦1 million, including beds, mattresses, bedsheets, pillows, furniture and food supplies as part of the government’s support package.
He also said the bride would receive a dowry of ₦100,000, while an additional ₦100,000 would be provided as seed capital to support small-scale business activities after marriage.
He said the initiative was one of the campaign promises of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, adding that the administration was committed to fulfilling its pledges to residents.
“The mass wedding was one of the promises made to the people of Kano by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf during his election campaign, and he has now fulfilled it,” Daurawa said.
He added that participants have been advised to undergo genotype testing before marriage in order to reduce the risk of sickle cell-related complications among children.
According to him, the Hisbah Corps has also introduced guidelines discouraging divorce without proper consultation with the board, as part of efforts to strengthen family stability among beneficiaries.
Daurawa further stated that the date for the mass wedding ceremony will be announced once it receives final approval from the state governor.
The development has drawn attention as Kano continues to implement social intervention programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable groups and promoting family welfare.