The Kebbi State Government has announced plans to sponsor a mass wedding ceremony for 300 couples in the state.
The wedding ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 27.
The initiative, aimed at supporting underprivileged individuals in the state, is being organised in collaboration with the Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS), a non-governmental organisation.
Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, Chairman of the Organising Committee, disclosed this during a press briefing on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi, News Agency of Nigeria reports.
He explained that the mass wedding is part of Governor Nasir Idris’s commitment to periodically organise such events to assist those who cannot afford the costs associated with marriage.
Argungu revealed that the state government will provide ₦180,000 as bride price for each bride, totalling ₦54 million for the 300 couples. In addition to the dowry, the government will also provide the couples with essential items such as room furniture and foodstuffs to help them start their marital lives.
To ensure the health and legal readiness of the couples, various committees have been established to oversee tasks such as pregnancy tests, genotype tests, HIV/AIDS tests, and other mandatory prerequisites for marriage in the state.
“The administration of Gov. Idris is going to provide N180,000 as dowry for each bride from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
“Other additional items will be provided such as room furniture and foodstuffs to all the couples to consolidate their marital relationship.
“The wedding will be solemnised after wide consultations with Islamic scholars in consonance with the practice of the Noble Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW),” Argungu added.
