HISBAH WARNS MASS WEDDING BENEFICIARIES AGAINST HASTY DIVORCE, EMPHASIZES RECONCILIATION
The Kano State Hisbah Board has cautioned beneficiaries of the state’s upcoming mass wedding programme against resorting to divorce without first seeking intervention and reconciliation through the Board.
In a statement signed by the Director Public Enlightenment of the Board Auwal ShehThe Commander General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, issued the warning during a visit to the headquarters of the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA), one of the designated centres conducting medical screening for prospective couples participating in the programme.
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According to Sheikh Daurawa, the Kano State Government is making significant investments to ensure the success and sustainability of the marriages and expects beneficiaries to uphold the sanctity of the institution.
He explained that couples whose marriages are conducted under the state-sponsored mass wedding initiative are encouraged to return to the Hisbah Board whenever marital disputes arise so that reconciliation efforts can be pursued before any decision on separation is taken.
“We have established mechanisms for resolving marital disputes and promoting peaceful coexistence among couples. Our goal is to build stable families and strengthen the social fabric of our communities,” he said.
The Commander General noted that the mass wedding initiative was introduced by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to assist less privileged citizens who face financial challenges in fulfilling marriage obligations.
He disclosed that the state government is sponsoring 1,500 couples and providing comprehensive support packages, including furniture, wedding materials, clothing, food items, dowries, and business start-up capital to help the newlyweds begin married life on a solid foundation.
Sheikh Daurawa revealed that each couple will receive ₦200,000, comprising ₦100,000 for dowry and ₦100,000 as business support, in addition to essential food supplies. He described the programme as a major social investment valued at over ₦250 million.
He further observed that many beneficiaries of previous editions of the programme have successfully built families and become productive members of society, attributing the success to the government’s commitment to supporting marriage and family stability.
The Hisbah Commander urged intending couples to cherish their marriages, embrace mutual respect, and work together to build peaceful and prosperous homes.
Earlier, the Director General of KSACA, Dr. Usman Bashir, explained that the ongoing screening exercise is part of Kano State’s mandatory premarital health policy enacted in 2024.
He stated that approximately 3,000 individuals are undergoing medical examinations to determine their fitness for marriage and to identify potential health concerns that could affect family wellbeing.
According to him, couples who meet the required health standards will be issued certificates, while those facing health-related challenges, including sickle cell incompatibility, will receive professional counselling and appropriate medical guidance. He added that the state government is fully funding both the screening and treatment components of the programme.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Kano State Government for the intervention.
One of the prospective grooms, Magaji Muhammad, said the programme had fulfilled his long-standing dream of getting married after years of financial difficulty. His fiancée, Wasila Kabiru, also commended the initiative and prayed for its continued success.
Another beneficiary, Umar Ahmad Abdullahi, described the programme as life-changing, noting that he had waited until his thirties before finding the opportunity to marry.
The visit was attended by the Chairman of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Ibrahim Shehu Maihula; Director General, Malam Abba Sa’id Sufi; Deputy Commander General, Dr. Mujahid Aminuddeen Abubakar; and other senior officials of the Board.
