By BASHIR BELLO

The Kano State Hisbah Board, on Monday, said the sum of N1.5billion has been earmarked for the conduct of the forthcoming mass wedding for 1,500 couples in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Commander General of the board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano ahead of the wedding.

Daurawa said the preparation was on top gear with expected couples subjected to screening of HIV and other tests.

He said the initiative was one of the campaign promises of Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf.

Daurawa said the board will ensure the couples are compatible, healthy and the groom has work to do and can provide accommodation for the wedding ceremony.

Daurawa said the government will give each groom the sum of N100,000 for onward presentation as dowry to their brides.

He said the government will also support the brides with a token of N100,000 as empowerment to start up a business.

“The government will spend N1 million on each couple totaling N1.5 billion.

“Each groom will be given the sum of N100,000 for dowry to their brides, N100,000 token for the brides as empowerment and also provide them with beds, mattress, furniture and food items.

“5,000 applied for the programme. A total of 3,000 are to benefit from the initiative, 1,500 couples.

“We have conducted tests for 2,000 individuals. They were subjected to HIV test, hepatitis B, pregnancy test and genotype,” Daurawa said.

According to him, whoever engages in the Mass wedding cannot divorce the wife without the consent of the board.

“We will carry out a followup with the previous mass wedding for the blessings,” Daurawa said.

Similarly, the Command Director General, Abba Sufi, while shedding more light, said the board will organise a seminar for the couples on regulations pertaining to marriages.

He said the initiative stands to address social ills such as social problems, adultery and spread of diseases.

Meanwhile, a date is expected to be announced for the event in the state. (NAN)

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