Mass Wedding:Gov Yusuf Tasks Beneficiaries On Sanctity Of Marriage
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has charged beneficiaries of the State Government-sponsored mass wedding programme to respect and uphold the sanctity of marriage by living according to Islamic teachings.
Yusuf gave the charge to the 1,500 newly-wedded couples at a grand reception organised for them at the Government House,Kano, during which they were presented with household furniture, foodstuff and empowerment packages.
He described marriage as an act of worship and urged the couples to build their homes on the principles of patience, mutual respect, justice, fairness and peaceful coexistence, in accordance with the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad(Peace Be Upon Him).
The governor said the “Auren Gata” programme was one of the major promises he made during his 2023 governorship election campaign across the 44 local government areas of the state.
He disclosed that the state government had committed more than N1.5 billion Naira to the programme, covering medical screening, marriage counselling, dowry, empowerment grants, furniture and other support for the beneficiaries.
According to him, each couple received N100,000 naira as dowry, and another N100,000 as capital grant to enable them to establish small businesses and become self-reliant.
Yusuf added that the government had also provided beds, mattresses and other household items, alongside foodstuff, and essential commodities to support the couples as they begin their married lives.
He disclosed that all the newly-wedded couples had undergone comprehensive medical examinations, counselling sessions and workshops organised to prepare them for the responsibilities of marriage.
He congratulated them and prayed for Allah’s blessings upon their marriages, including the gift of righteous children who would contribute positively to their families, the society and humanity.
Earlier,the Commandant-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, said the mass wedding initiative had gained wide recognition across Nigeria and beyond.
He noted that the initiative was designed to support young couples financially and also to prepare them for the responsibilities and challenges of married life.
In his remarks,the Chairman of the North-West Governors’ Forum and Katsina State Governor, Umar Dikko Radda, commended Governor Yusuf for initiating the programme, describing it as an intervention aimed at improving the welfare and living condition of the people.
Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, who was representated by Barrister Kabir Haruna Umar Gombe, said the initiative could contribute to addressing insecurity and protests allegedly linked to unemployed and idle youths.
Other Islamic scholars who spoke at the occasion also commended the Kano State Government for the initiative and urged the couples to remain committed, respectful and loyal to their marriages.