By Ijeoma Agbafo
The Deputy Commander of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Mujahideen Aminuddeen, says the state’s mass wedding programme is open to both Christians and Muslims who meet the required conditions.
Aminuddeen told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano that the initiative, popularly known as Auren Gata (marriage for the privileged), accommodates widows, widowers, divorcees, spinsters and bachelors. He said three Christian couples participated in the last exercise held in October 2023, while preparations were underway for the next edition.
He said the programme was designed to strengthen families, reduce immorality and support underprivileged persons who could not afford marriage expenses. According to him, beneficiaries are screened and verified, with priority given to orphans and vulnerable families.
The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Aminu Daurawa, said the state government had earmarked N1.5 billion for the forthcoming mass wedding involving 1,500 couples. He said each groom would receive N100,000 as dowry, while each bride would receive N100,000 as business start-up support, in addition to household items.
Daurawa added that intending couples would undergo HIV, hepatitis B, pregnancy and genotype tests to ensure compatibility before the marriages. At the same time, stakeholders described the initiative as a social intervention capable of strengthening families, reducing poverty and promoting social stability.
