By Hadiza Yusuf
KANO — The Kano State Government has earmarked N1.5 billion for a mass wedding programme targeting about 3,000 couples across the state.
The Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Ibrahim Daurawa, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on preparations for the exercise.
Daurawa said the fund would cover the full cost of the programme, including furniture, food items, clothing materials, dowries, and other support packages for beneficiaries.
“The Kano State Government has allocated N1.5 billion for the mass wedding programme. The fund will cater for furniture, food items, clothing materials, dowry, and other forms of support for the couples,” he said.
He added that each bride would receive a capital grant of N100,000 as part of an empowerment package designed to support the new families.
According to him, medical screening for prospective couples has commenced in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health to ascertain their fitness for marriage.
“The mandatory medical screening covers hepatitis, pregnancy, HIV, genotype, and other sexually transmitted diseases,” Daurawa said.
He revealed that more than 5,000 people applied for the programme, but only 3,000 couples would be selected after the screening process.
Daurawa said the initiative was part of the state government’s efforts to support marriage and promote social stability among residents.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for introducing the programme and noted that the governor would announce the official date for the mass wedding ceremony.
