Kebbi Agog At Historic Mass Wedding For 300 Couples
From Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi
Birnin-kebbi, the Kebbi State capital went agog Thursday as the State government conducted yet another historic making mass wedding for 300 couples presided over by the governor Comrade Nasiru Idris, witnessed by APC National Chairman and National Secretary, Abudullahi Ganduje and Ajibola Basiru among other prominent National personalities.
The mass wedding of 300 couples was funded with the payment of N54 million as dowry, (N180,000) per couple.
Ahead of the solemnization, all prospective couples underwent genotype testing, while the brides were examined to ensure they were not pregnant, aligning with Islamic marital requirements.
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, represented by the Magajin Garin Gwandu, Alhaji Aminullahi Umar, acted as the Waliy (guardian) for the brides.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, served as the Wakil (representative) for the grooms, facilitating the marriage contracts.
Governor Idris announced plans for a larger mass wedding next year as part of his administration’s commitment to social welfare.
Government provided each couple with complete room furniture, including beds, beddings, and household utensils—all free of charge.
Additionally, the governor’s wife Hajiya Nafisa donated N20,000 to each couple, totaling N12 million.
Member of the House of Representatives for Suru/Bagudo Constituency, Hon. Bello Dallatun Ka’oje, matched this donation.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, contributed N50,000 to each couple—N30,000 for the grooms and N20,000 for the brides—amounting to N15 million.
The marriage rites were performed by prominent Islamic clerics, including Sheikh Mukhtar Abdullahi, Walin Gwandu, Mallam Ahmad S/Fawa, Mallam Muhammadu Yahaya, the Imam of Wala Jumu’a Mosque, Birnin Kebbi.
Islamic scholars such as Professor Mansur Isah Yelwa, Professor Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, Sheikh Abdurrahman Isa Jega, and Mallam Ahmad Tijjani of the Dariqa movement delivered sermons.
