Kebbi State went agog penultima week as Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris presided over the mass wedding of 300 couples, with the state government funding the bride price of N54 million (N180,000 per couple).
Ahead of the solemnization, all prospective couples underwent genotype testing, while the brides were examined to ensure they were not pregnant, aligning with Islamic marital requirements.
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, represented by the Magajin Garin Gwandu, Alhaji Aminullahi Umar, acted as the Waliy (guardian) for the brides.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, served as the Wakil (representative) for the grooms, facilitating the marriage contracts.
Governor Idris lauded his wife, Hajiya Nafisa Nasir Idris, for organizing the event through her NANAS Foundation, with the government’s support.
He announced plans for an even larger mass wedding next year as part of his administration’s commitment to social welfare.
The government provided each couple with complete room furniture, including beds, beddings, and household utensils—all free of charge.
Additionally, Hajiya Nafisa donated N20,000 to each couple, totaling N12 million.
The member of the House of Representatives for Suru/Bagudo Constituency, Hon. Bello Dallatun Ka’oje, matched this donation.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, gave N50,000 to each couple—N30,000 for the grooms and N20,000 for the brides—amounting to N15 million.
The marriage rites were performed by prominent Islamic clerics, including Sheikh Mukhtar Abdullahi, Walin Gwandu, Mallam Ahmad S/Fawa, Mallam Muhammadu Yahaya, the Imam of Wala Jumu’a Mosque, Birnin Kebbi.
Islamic scholars such as Professor Mansur Isah Yelwa, Professor Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, Sheikh Abdurrahman Isa Jega, and Mallam Ahmad Tijjani of the Dariqa movement delivered sermons.
They urged the couples to practice love, perseverance, loyalty, trust, justice, and sincerity in their marriages.
Chairman of the organizing committee, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, who is also the National Organising Secretary of APC, expressed gratitude to Governor Idris and his wife for their support.
He highlighted that challenges learned from previous mass weddings helped ensure a smooth event this time.
Senator Bagudu, the immediate past governor of Kebbi State, commended Governor Idris and Hajiya Nafisa for uplifting the lives of the couples.
The APC National Secretary, Hon. Ajibola Basiru, also praised the initiative not only for joining the couples in matrimony but also for providing them with financial support and empowerment.
One of the brides, Hauwa Abdullahi, from Zauro village, a surburb of Birnin-Kebbi, thanked the Kebbi State government for the support and pledged to respect her husband and support him.
A groom from Gwadangaji village also in Birnin-Kebbi surbub, Bello Gwadangwaji, said the state government had helped him otherwise he won’t be able to get married because he did not have money to sponsor his wedding. He appreciated the wife of the governor and the state government for the assistance, plediging to love and respect his wife.
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