By Seyi Odewale
They looked resplendent in their various attires that suggested what the day was to them. To them, it was not just an ordinary day, it was, indeed, a day to remember and they would gleefully want to talk about it for the rest of their lives. It was a day they were joined with their heartthrobs in holy wedlock and at no costs whatsoever.
No fewer than 1,800 were they, and they shook Kano with fanfare, painting the city ‘red’ in a mass wedding that appeared unprecedented in the history of mass weddings, particularly in this part of the world.
A brainchild of the Kano State government in conjunction with the leader of the Kwankwasiyya political movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 1,800 couples saw the event as one of the greatest gifts the state could give them in their quest to start their families.
Interestingly, the weekend mass wedding was not restricted to the Kano metropolis, other parts of the state had a feel of the ceremony. For instance, out of the 1,800 weddings, 330 were only held within the Kano metropolis with five being witnessed at the Kano Central Mosque.
The others were held in various local government areas of the state to control the huge crowd that could have accompanied the couples to their happiest day in a deliberate move to control the crowd and ensure ease of movement.
At the grand wedding ceremony, which was held on Friday at the Emir of Kano palace mosque, and continued on Saturday at the Government House for the final ceremony, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023, presidential election, Senator Kwankwaso, stood in for the 1,800 grooms while Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State represented the brides, while the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof Sani Zahraddeen, officiated master.
With the payment of N50, 000 bride price being presented on behalf of each groom to the bride, the 1,800 couples, comprising widows, divorcees, and spinsters, selected from across the 44 local government areas of the state, were pronounced husbands and wives.
Governor Yusuf, who described the event as a testament to the state’s dedication to promoting culture, tradition, and social cohesion among the people, said: “The event reflects the deep-rooted values and unity of the people in Kano State and highlights the state government’s dedication to preserving traditions while ensuring a bright future for its residents”.
In the words of Kwankwaso, the 1,800 couples should desist from checking their spouses’ phones. This, according to him, is to avoid anything that could lead to a marriage breakup.
Kwankwaso, who spoke at the reception organised for the couples by the Kano State government, said checking spouses’ phones by married couples was one of the major causes of marriage breakups, hence the need for couples to shun anything that could lead to such crisis.
“You have been advised by all and sundry. I believe you have been advised a thousand times. Ulamas, parents, relatives, and even businesspeople have advised you on how to live peacefully with one another.
“But I have one single piece of advice for you; that is checking spouses’ phones. Don’t peep your spouses’ phones as that is the major cause of marriage breakup these days,” he said.
He lauded the political commitment demonstrated by Governor Yusuf for making the exercise a reality, commending the administration for committing over N700 million to sponsor over 600 students to various universities outside the country.
“We have made the right choice by electing Governor Abba Yusuf as our governor. He is a good leader who has continued with our legacies. One of such legacies is this mass wedding.
“Apart from this, he is delivering mass-oriented projects. We call on the good people of Kano state to support his administration,” he said.
The governor said the beneficiaries of the mass wedding were selected from across the 44 local government areas and the 484 wards of the state, adding that no fewer than 30 couples were selected from each of the 44 local government areas of the state.
He explained that the state took full responsibility for the marriage, including payment of bride price, provision of furniture, wedding foodstuff, and N20,000 grant for the brides to start small-scale businesses in the comfort of their matrimonial houses.
He, therefore, urged the couples to live peacefully by the teachings of Islam.
The Commander-General, Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, while welcoming guests, said no fewer than 1,500 couples tied the knot at the weekend.
He, however, disclosed that out of the 1,800 couples, 264 were suspended as they tested positive for some ailments and were undergoing medical treatment, adding that a new date would be announced for their wedding after they had been certified healthy and fit.
According to him, the mass wedding had followed a due and transparent process, commending the state government for the kind gesture. He also prayed for the couples to have lasting marital bliss.
The event was later rounded off at the Government House Banquet Hall for the entertainment of over 5,000 guests including new couples.
