The state government also approved a special support package for Bashir following the tragedy that claimed the lives of his wife and six children
By Moses Okorie
The Kano State Government on Friday conducted a mass wedding for 1,500 couples, with one of the beneficiaries being Haruna Bashir, the widower whose wife and six children were killed in a gruesome attack earlier this year.
The symbolic ceremony was held at the Emir’s Palace in Kano and was officiated by the Chief Imam of Kano State, Prof. Sani Zahradeen.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf represented the grooms during the ceremony, while the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, stood in for the brides.
The event marked the second mass wedding organised by the Yusuf administration as part of efforts to support vulnerable residents, strengthen family values and reduce the financial burden associated with marriage.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commander-General of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim-Daurawa, said the event at the Emir’s Palace was symbolic, noting that the remaining weddings were conducted simultaneously across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas.
He confirmed that Bashir was among the beneficiaries of the programme.
According to Ibrahim-Daurawa, the state government also approved a special support package for Bashir following the tragedy that claimed the lives of his wife and six children. The package includes sponsorship for Hajj and Umrah, the allocation of a house in Amana City, Kano, and marriage to a new wife, Rahinatu Jamilu-Yunusa.
“Since the incident that claimed the lives of his wife and six children, he had withdrawn from interacting with people. With this development, he is gradually regaining hope and returning to normal life,” Ibrahim-Daurawa said.
He identified the second symbolic couple as Saminu Tijjani-Isa and A’isha Muazu-Muhammad, while the third comprised Khalifa Muhammad-Inuwa and Maimuna Muhammad-Mu’azu.
Governor Yusuf described the mass wedding initiative as a key social intervention aimed at restoring hope, strengthening families and promoting moral values across the state.
He said the programme demonstrates his administration’s commitment to supporting vulnerable citizens by easing the cost of marriage and encouraging dignified family life in line with Islamic principles and Kano’s cultural traditions.
In his Friday sermon, the Emir of Kano urged the newly married couples to build their homes on the values of faith, patience, mutual respect and compassion.
According to him, stable families remain the foundation of a peaceful and prosperous society.
The programme also featured lectures by Islamic scholars and professionals on various aspects of marital life.
Sheikh Aliyu Abubakar delivered a lecture titled The Wisdom of Marriage in Islam, while Prof. Ibrahim Mu’azzam-Mai-Bushira spoke on The Rights and Responsibilities of Spouses in Islam.
Participants also received guidance from Sheikh Muhammad Nur-Arzai on the causes of marital conflict and practical ways of resolving disputes in accordance with Islamic teachings.
As part of the government’s support package, each bride will receive ₦200,000 to cover her dowry and provide start-up capital for a small business. The beneficiaries will also receive household items, including a bed and mattress, blankets, bed sheets and a centre rug.