Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris, has settled N54 million dowry of 300 couples in a mass wedding organized by NANAS Foundation, a pet project of the Governor’s wife, Nafisa Nasir Idris.
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje stood in as the Wakili (representative) of the bridegrooms, while Emir of Gwandu, retired Maj.-Gen. Muhammad Iliyasu-Bashar stood in as the Waliyi (representative) of the brides.
The marriages, which took place at Emir of Gwandu’s palace, Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, were administered by Sheik Muktar Abdullahi, the Walin Gwandu, Malam Ahmad S. Pawa, the Imam of Jakolo Mosque, Birnin Kebbi and Malam Muhammad, the Imam of Wala Mosque, Birnin Kebbi, after the payment of N180,000 dowry for each of the brides.
Speaking at the ceremony, the APC National Secretary, Dr Tajuddeen Bashiru observed that the couples were not only getting married but also getting empowed.
“Kebbi State Government is not only marrying off 300 couples but empowering 300 families,” he said.
Governor Nasir Idris urged the couples to be fair to one another and respect each other’s opinions.
While thanking his wife, Nafisa Nasir Idris for the initiative, the Governor promised to support and sustain the annual program for the good of the Kebbi people.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku-Bagudu described the occasion as a reminder to well-meaning individuals in the society for them to look inward and ask themselves how many people they assist to get married in their respective areas.
In their separate presentations, Sheik Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, Sheik Mansur Sokoto, Sheik Mansur Isa, and Sheik AbdurRahman Isa-Jega described marriage as one of the fundamental deeds in Islam.
Taking their texts from the Holy Qur’an and Hadith, the Islamic Clerics said God Almighty had instructed Muslims to assist one another in piety and fear of God Almighty and desist from assisting one another in sin and transgression.
They recalled that Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) told men who have the ability and means to marry women of their choice.
The occasion featured donations to the couples as gifts from other prominent people of the state.
The State Government had shouldered the responsibility of furniture, foodstuff, and all other marriage responsibilities except accommodation.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning donated N50,000 to each couple, and Rep. Bello Ka’oje, a member representing Bagudo/Suru Federal Constituency, donated N20,000 and one irrigation pumping machine to each couple.
