In a heartening turn of events, Kano State is gearing up for a grand mass wedding next month, with over 4,000 eager couples vying for a spot in the state-planned matrimonial extravaganza. The Kano State Hisbah Board, responsible for overseeing the event, has already made its selection, choosing 1,800 couples who are now undergoing various pre-wedding preparations, including mandatory medical screenings.
Dr. Mujahid Aminuddeen, the Hisbah Deputy Commander General (operations), disclosed in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust that the selected couples will undergo rigorous testing, including assessments for HIV/AIDS, genotype compatibility, and drug screenings, ensuring the health and well-being of all participants.
Despite the initial plan to accommodate only 1,800 couples, the overwhelming response from prospective brides and grooms prompted a change of heart from the state government. Dr. Mujahid Aminuddeen relayed that thousands more had expressed interest in joining the mass wedding, far exceeding the original reservation limit.
“The government has initially set aside space for 1,800 couples, but the demand has been incredible,” he said. “When we presented this to the Governor, he assured us of the government’s commitment to the program and even encouraged us to start processing for the next batch.”
Further scrutinization of the applications will be conducted to ensure that only genuine participants are included in the ceremony. The final list will then be submitted to the governor for approval.
Malam Mujahid attributed the surge in interest to the economic challenges facing many families, particularly parents who want to marry off their daughters but cannot afford the expenses associated with traditional weddings.
In a word of advice to the soon-to-be-wed couples, he urged them to maintain harmonious relationships and cautioned that those who divorce on flimsy grounds after the marriage would be required to reimburse the government for wedding expenses.
Clarifying the previously announced N20 million budget for the wedding, Dr. Khadija Sagir Sulaiman, the Deputy Commander General (Women) at the Hisbah Board, explained that the funds would not be allocated solely to the wedding party but would also cover various pre-wedding activities. These include a three-day induction course for the couples and an entrepreneurship program for women.
“The entrepreneurship program for women will empower them with valuable skills. Each participant will receive N20,000 in capital to start a business, such as soap making, car wash production, pomade production, and more,” she elaborated.
The Kano State government, led by Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has allocated over N800 million for mass weddings. This generous provision encompasses expenses related to furniture, food, clothing materials, dowry, and capital for the 1,800 intending couples participating in the mass wedding scheme.
Expressing their gratitude, many prospective couples spoke to Daily Trust, thanking the Kano State Governor for providing them with the opportunity to celebrate their union in grand style.
As the countdown to the mass wedding continues, the city of Kano is abuzz with excitement, anticipation, and hope for a brighter future for these newlyweds-to-be.
