First Lady of Zamfara State, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, on Monday, supervised the mass wedding of 200 female orphans, widows, and less-privileged women, including teenagers, at the headquarters of the Zakkat and Endowment Board, in Gusau.

The board, under the state government, sponsored the mass wedding, as part of its 2025 social intervention programmes, to conclude its annual activities, which included business grants, debt relief support, poultry production training, and computer literacy programmes.

At the event, each couple was given furniture and ₦30,000 cash gift, while 100 beneficiaries who completed poultry production training were given starter packs to help them establish small-scale poultry businesses.

At the event, Mrs Lawal, stated that her office also provided essential household items as support for the newly married couples, to complement the state government’s efforts at improving the welfare of recipients.

Mrs Lawal said, “For the 4th quarter of 2025, the Zakat Board has successfully delivered a series of life-changing interventions, which include: support for the marriage of 200 female orphans, through essential household items such as furniture, bedding, and a ₦200,000 dowry, to enable them to begin their marital lives with respect and comfort.

“Settlement of debt-related cases across Shari’ah courts and correctional centres, granting deserving individuals a second chance to regain freedom and rebuild their lives honorably.

“Business grants of ₦50,000 each for 200 small-scale traders, many of whom are widows, orphans, and caregivers, boosting their capacity to earn a livelihood and become financially independent. Training and empowerment of 100 individuals in poultry production, each to receive a starter pack to establish their own poultry business.

“Computer literacy training for 10 orphans and children from less privileged homes, who will each be provided with mini computers to enhance their learning and future opportunities.

“These achievements symbolize the vision we share for a more empowered, self-reliant, and prosperous Zamfara State. To support these noble efforts, the office of the First Lady has also donated essential household items, further strengthening this intervention.”

In his remark, the board’s Executive Secretary, Habib Balarabe, said the marriage sponsorship and support for vulnerable families with resources to start a stable home, was a way of address poverty and curbing street begging.

Mr Balarabe said, “We organize this event specially for the less-privileged people who are in Zamfara State. We organized it to marry 200 orphans. We also organize another programme for them that will empower them while still in their houses, like giving them a token to start businesses. We are doing it to reduce poverty in the state, and we are also doing it to reduce the way people are going around begging.”

One of the new brides, 17-year-old Zainab Mohammed, while appreciating the state government for the gesture, stated, “Honestly, I thank Almighty God and Prophet Mohammed, may the peace of God be with him. I am very happy. I am not an orphan. Honestly, I prefer marriage to going to school.”