Mass-wedding Addressing the couples at a civic reception organized by the state government, Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso stated that the money was used to procure furniture, textile materials, foodstuff as well as provide grants for the brides and other essential items. Kwankwaaso who described the event as unprecedented in the history of the West African sub-region, further stressed that the marriage programme was initiated to help people strengthen the family institution and halt social crimes in the society, most of which were as a result of erosion of family values. He maintained that his administration also initiated a special family orientation programme aimed at preventing and minimizing the rising cases of divorce in the state in addition to evolving capacity building programmes especially for women to enable them support their families. Also during the occasion, the governor signed into law the Street Begging Bill 2013, which prohibited children and adults from begging on the streets and other public places. The Governor said that violation of the law and other laws against human trafficking would attract stiff penalties. He, however, pointed out that a special empowerment programme for the physically challenged would be introduced, in order to cushion the effect of the law. According to him, 2, 205 people with disabilities in the state had been been selected for training that would suit their individual capacities. Meanwhile, Governor Kwankwaso has handed over 20 cottage industries refurbished by the government to women cooperative groups as well as distributed empowerment packages to the beneficiaries. In a speech during the hand over ceremony, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Binta Jibril, said the government’s empowerment programmes for women had not only helped to promote stable family units, but also helped to provide multiplier effects on the gross domestic product of the state. “Indeed, experts have already forecast that if these and similar efforts at capacity building and empowerment are sustained, the disposable income of Kano State will surely catch up with that of Lagos in a short time,” she added. On his part, the Commander–General of Kano Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, who spoke extensively on the mass wedding, explained that 60 Christian couples were among those who were wedded. The occasion was attended by eminent personalities from within and outside the country including the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Haruna Muhammad Danyaya, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, the representative of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sunusi, Shaikhs Dahiru Bauchi, Yusuf Sambo Rigachikun, Sheikh Abubakar bin Salah Al-Makki of Jam’iyyatul Birr Foundation of Saudi Arabia and Madame Ben Wahab Aichatou from Tattalin Iyali Foundation of Niger republic.
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