The Commander General of Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, has announced that the state government expects marriages under its mass wedding initiative to last, given the significant investment involved.
Speaking during a visit to the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA) headquarters, Daurawa emphasized that divorce would not be allowed without prior approval from the Hisbah Board. The KSACA headquarters is one of the venues for the ongoing medical screening of prospective couples.
“We don’t allow divorce. Any person who wants, for any reason, to divorce has to come to Hisbah since this is where the marriage was contracted. We have a reconciliation committee that will sit down and resolve issues before any separation is considered,” Daurawa stated.
Governor’s Initiative to Support Needy Couples
According to Daurawa, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf initiated the mass wedding to assist less privileged residents who face financial challenges in getting married. The governor’s program aims to sponsor 1,500 couples, providing them with essential items and financial support.
“Some people sell their land, motorcycles, or even take loans just to marry. The governor, in his mercy, decided to sponsor 1,500 couples. The state will provide furniture, wedding boxes, clothing, and food provisions,” Daurawa explained.
Each couple will receive ₦200,000, comprising ₦100,000 as dowry and ₦100,000 as business capital, along with rice, macaroni, and cooking oil. The total investment for this initiative exceeds ₦250 million.
Medical Screening Underway
The Kano State Hisbah Board has finalized plans to conduct medical screening for 3,000 prospective couples across 24 local government areas. The screening includes tests for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, genotype compatibility, drug use, and other health conditions.
Only applicants who pass the medical screening will qualify for the state’s mass wedding program. The authorities have stressed the importance of these tests to ensure the health and well-being of the couples.
Public Reaction and Similar Initiatives
Following the announcement, some married men have appealed to be included in the scheme, arguing that it would alleviate the high costs of polygamous marriages and help regularize relationships to prevent immorality.
This initiative is part of broader efforts by Nigerian lawmakers and officials to support mass weddings. For instance, a Nigerian lawmaker married off 105 orphans in a mass wedding, paying ₦10.5 million as dowry. Similarly, the Deputy Senate President sponsored a mass wedding for 440 Kano indigenes, and the Niger State government faced both support and criticism for its mass wedding plans.
The Hisbah Board continues to proceed with the government-directed plan, aiming to promote morality and reduce social vices through this program.
