Kebbi State governor, Nasir Idris, has issued an Executive Order declaring the state’s mass wedding programme an annual event.
The governor made the announcement at the third edition of the exercise held at the Haliru Abdu Stadium, Birnin Kebbi, where 300 couples were joined in matrimony.
At the event, the state government paid a dowry of N250,000 for each of the 300 brides, amounting to N75 million.
Governor Idris served as the Wali (guardian) for the brides, while the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, represented the grooms as Wakil (representative), accepting the marriages on their behalf.
Governor Idris said the mass wedding initiative, conceived by his wife, Hajiya Nafisa Nasir Idris, and supported by the state government, has helped promote moral values and enabled underprivileged residents to start families.
“I want to assure you that this programme has come to stay. The mass wedding will continue to take place annually. I thank my first wife, Nasare, and my second wife, Nafisa, for always supporting me. I will continue to support, guide and cooperate with them as a responsible husband.
“That is why we have peace and tranquillity in our home. Both of them have performed creditably in improving the lives of men and women in state, and I encourage them to continue,” the governor said.
Idris also used the occasion to rally support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
“This mammoth attendance is a clear sign that Kebbi is for President Bola Tinubu and myself as governor.
“I urge you to sustain your support for our leader, to enable us to continue enjoying the dividends of democracy.
“All hands must be on deck to deliver President Tinubu, myself as governor and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections,” he appealed.
In her remarks, wife of the governor, Hajiya Idris, thanked her husband for supporting the project since its inception in 2023.
She advised the newly married couples to respect the sanctity of marriage by maintaining peace and demonstrating tolerance, perseverance and mutual understanding.
The special guest of honour, Chief (Mrs) Mujidat Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, commended the governor’s wife for instituting the programme, saying that whoever empowers the family contributes to national development.
She also applauded Governor Idris for supporting the mass wedding initiative and for providing start-up gifts to the brides and grooms.