Kebbi State Sets July 27 as Date for Group Wedding Ceremony Involving 300 Interfaith Couples

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FILE Grooms dressed in white robes and red caps walk on the street of Kano to attend a wedding reception at the Kano state governor’s office after taking part in a mass wedding at the central mosque in Kano city, Kano State, Nigeria, on October 14, 2023. – The mass wedding is sponsored by the Kano State government in Nigeria to help widows and divorcees get remarried. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)

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The Kebbi Government, in collaboration with the Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS), has concluded arrangements to conduct a mass wedding for 300 couples on July 27.

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The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the event tagged “Inclusive Mass Wedding” comprised both Muslim and Christian couples who fulfilled the criteria set by the committee.

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The Chairman of the Organising Committee and National Organising Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

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Argungu, a former Deputy Governor of the state, said the beneficiaries, comprising 600 prospective Muslim and Christian spouses, were drawn from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

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He said the beneficiaries were selected from among orphans, widows and divorcees after fulfilling the required religious and legal conditions for marriage.

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According to him, the exercise is the third edition of the mass wedding programme initiated by the state government.

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“If you recall, we successfully conducted the maiden edition for 300 couples in 2024 and the second one in 2025.

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“We have already distributed application forms to prospective couples across the 21 local government areas, and preparations have reached an advanced stage,” he added.

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Argungu said various committees had been constituted to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme.

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He listed the committees as those on security, medical services, transportation, Islamic scholars and general coordination.

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He said all prospective couples were undergoing mandatory medical screening, including pregnancy, genotype and HIV/AIDS tests, in addition to other lawful prerequisites for marriage in the state.

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Argungu further said Gov. Nasir Idris had approved the payment of dowry for all the 300 couples, with N250,000 to be paid for each bride.

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He added that the government and its partners would also provide the newly married couples with furniture, food items and other domestic materials to help them establish stable homes.

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According to him, local furniture makers have been engaged to produce beds, wardrobes, sofas and other household items for distribution to the beneficiaries.

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He said the programme would accommodate both Muslims and Christians who had fulfilled all stipulated marital procedures.

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“There is no discrimination, provided applicants fall within the approved categories of orphans, widows or divorcees.

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“The wedding will be solemnised after extensive consultations with Islamic scholars and in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which encourage marriage as a means of promoting family values and societal development,” Argungu said. (NAN)

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