The Kebbi State Government has commenced preparations to sponsor a mass wedding for 300 couples in the state scheduled for February 27.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, told newsmen on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi that the wedding is organised in collaboration with an NGO, Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS).
He said that various committees have been set up with specific tasks such as pregnancy tests, genotype tests, HIV/AIDS tests, and other lawful prerequisites for marriages in the state.
Argungu said that the mass wedding was in fulfillment of a promise made by Governor Nasir Idris during the last mass wedding that such weddings would be held periodically to assist the less privileged in getting married.
“The administration of Gov. Idris is going to provide N180,000 as dowry for each bride from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
“Other additional items will be provided such as room furniture and foodstuf,fs to all the couples to consolidate their marital relationship.
“The wedding will be solemnized after wide consultations with Islamic scholars in consonance with the practice of the Noble Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW),” Argungu said.
