Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State says the state government has expended N1.5 billion on a mass wedding programme, covering medical screening, dowry, furniture, and other items for the couples.

Mr Yusuf made the disclosure on Saturday during a reception and the distribution of furniture, among other items, to the couples at the Kano State government house.

He said the present administration had committed over N1.5 billion to ensure the successful implementation of the programme and to provide comprehensive support to the newly married couples.

“This expenditure covered medical screening for all the brides and grooms to safeguard their health and that of their future children.

“Similarly, we provided the payment of N100,000 as dowry, in addition to another N100,000 as capital grant to serve as seed capital for starting a business and promoting self-reliance.

“We also provided household furniture and essential items, including beds, mattresses, and other necessities to enable the couples to begin their married lives comfortably.

“Government has also provided food items and other essential commodities to cushion the hardship they may encounter during the early days of their marriage,” he said.

The governor called on the new couples to strive to maintain peace, harmony, mutual respect, and understanding in their homes.

He reminded the couples that marriage “is an act of worship”, while urging them to conduct their matrimonial lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Mr Yusuf said the mass wedding programme, known as Auren Gata, was one of the key campaign promises he made ahead of the 2023 general election.

“Let me remind us that the Auren Gata programme was one of the key promises that we made during our campaign across all the 44 local government areas of Kano state ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Today, we have continued to fulfil that promise. Before this wedding ceremony, all prospective couples underwent a comprehensive screening process.

“This included medical examinations to ascertain their health status, marriage counselling by qualified professionals, and participation in workshops and seminars designed by the Kano State Hisbah Board to prepare them for the responsibilities of married life,” he revealed.

The governor seized the opportunity to congratulate the new couples as they begin a new chapter in their lives together.

“As you were repeatedly advised during the counselling sessions, I urge you to be patient with one another, to uphold justice and fairness in your homes, to respect one another, and to live together in peace, harmony, and mutual understanding,” he prayed.

The chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum and Governor of Katsina State, Umar Dikko-Radda, commended Mr Yusuf for the initiative, describing it as a programme aimed at improving the welfare and living conditions of the people of the state.

Earlier, a prominent Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala-Lau, represented by Sheikh Kabir Gombe, said the initiative was capable of addressing insecurity and incessant protests spearheaded by idle youths.

Dignitaries present at the event included Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa and former governor of Kano State, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, among others.

(NAN)