By IBRAHIM BELLO

The Kebbi Government, on Thursday, married off 300 couples in a mass wedding at Emir of Gwandu Palace.

The marriages were arranged by the state government in collaboration with Nafisa Nasir Charity Development Foundation (NANAS), to reduce the number of women, widowed or divorced, left to fend for themselves and their children.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Nasir Idris presided over the wedding of the couples with the total payment of N54 million dowry, N180,000 for each couple.

NAN reports also that the men and women were tested for genotype tests, while the women also were examined to ensure that they are pregnant-free, before the solemnisation of the marriage.

Gov. Idris commended his wife, Hajiya Nafisa Nasir-Idris, for organizing the mass wedding under her pet project, NANAS foundation, sponsored by the government on his approval.

The governor announced that broader mass marriage would be held next year as part of social responsibility of his administration.

He urged the couples to continue to be patient and tolerant to enable them have peaceful homes pointing out that marriage was all about endurance and patience.

?The importance of marriage cannot be over-emphasised as it will promote peace among the couples and will also enable them to get more blessings and God?s mercy,?? the governor said.

The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu- Bashar, was represented by the Magajin Garin Gwandu, Alhaji Aminullahi Umar, served as the Waliy (Guardian) to the brides who gave them out in marriage.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar- Ganduje, stood in for the grooms as the Wakil (representative), who sought for consummating the holy union from the guardian.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, gave each couple N50,000 amounting to N15 million.

Islamic Clerics, who solemnised the marriage were the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Birnin Kebbi, Sheikh Mukhtar Abdullahi.

Others were Mallam Ahmad S/Fawa, the Imam of Jokolo Mosque and Mallam Muhammadu Yahaya, the Imam of Wala Jumu?a Mosque, Birnin Kebbi.

Scholars who delivered sermons were Prof. Mansur Isah-Yelwa, Prof. Mansur Ibrahim-Sokoto, and Sheikh Abdurrahman Isa-Jega, and Mallam Ahmad Tijjani of the Dariqa Movement.

They admonished the couples to be persevering, show love for one another, remain loyal to marriage institution, uphold trust, justice and sincerity as well as discharge the obligations incumbent on husband and wife.

Sets of room furniture, including beds and beddings, household utensils were provided to each couple by the government free.

In addition, the wife of the governor donated N20,000 to each husband and wife, totaling N12 million, with similar donation by the member, House of Representatives, representing Suru/Bagudo Federal Constituency, Alhaji Bello Ka?oje. (NAN).

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