Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining the annual mass wedding programme initiated by his wife, Her Excellency, Dr. Nafisa Nasir Idris, describing it as a noble initiative aimed at strengthening families, promoting Islamic values, and supporting the less privileged.
Speaking at the Third Edition of the Kebbi State Mass Wedding Programme held at the Haliru Abdu Stadium, Birnin Kebbi, Governor Idris assured the people that the programme would continue every year, by the grace of Allah, for as long as his administration remained in office.
“This programme has come to stay. Every year, by the grace of Allah, this mass wedding will continue because it is a noble initiative that promotes peace, family values, and social harmony,” the Governor declared.
Governor Idris commended his wife for conceiving and sustaining the initiative, describing her as compassionate and deeply committed to the welfare of women, widows, orphans, and other vulnerable members of society.
He pledged his continued support for all humanitarian programmes undertaken by the NANA’S Foundation.
The Governor acknowledged the presence of elder statesmen, political leaders, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, and distinguished guests, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Senator Mohammed Adamu Aliero; State Minister for Education, Prof Suwaiba Sa’id ; the wives of the Governors of Katsina and Jigawa States, Hajiya Fatima Umar Dikko Radda and Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi, respectively; Chief Dr. Mujidat Folashade Tinubu, daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu; and other eminent personalities.
He also appreciated the Emirs of Gwandu,Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru, as well as religious scholars and community leaders, for their unwavering support towards the success of the programme.
Governor Idris congratulated the 300 couples joined in matrimony and urged them to build their homes on love, patience, mutual respect,and understanding in accordance with the teachings of Islam.He prayed for enduring peace, happiness, and prosperity in their marriages.
Expressing satisfaction with the massive turnout at the event, the Governor described it as a demonstration of the people’s confidence in his administration and their continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He called on the people of Kebbi State to remain united and continue supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He thanked all guests for attending the ceremony and prayed for their safe return to their respective destinations.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad Argungu, Jarman Kabi, disclosed that the programme, organised by the NANA’S Foundation with the support of the Kebbi State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, had continued to record remarkable success since its inception.
According to him, 300 couples benefited from each of the three editions of the programme, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 900 couples. He revealed that 67 per cent of couples from the first and second editions had been blessed with children, while 86 per cent remained happily married. He added that only eight per cent had divorced, while five per cent had experienced marital disputes, describing the statistics as evidence of the programme’s positive social impact.
The Chairman further noted that one of the beneficiaries named his child after the Emir of Gwandu, a gesture that underscored participants’ appreciation for the initiative.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Kebbi State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera CON, commended Governor Idris and his wife for sustaining the initiative, describing the programme as a practical demonstration of Islamic charity and compassion.
The Emir who was flanked by the Emir of Zuru , His Royal Highness Muhammad Sanusi Mikailu, observed that the provision of dowries and household items for the beneficiaries reflected the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of the people and strengthening family institutions.
He advised the newly married couples to build their homes on trust, patience, forgiveness, and mutual respect in line with Islamic teachings.
Renowned Islamic scholars, Professor Mansur Sokoto,Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, Sheikh Abdulrahman Isah Jega and Sheikh Abdulrasheed Makarfi, delivered sermons on the sanctity of marriage and advised the couples to uphold the teachings of Islam in their matrimonial lives.
The scholars also proposed the establishment of three strategic committees comprising Islamic scholars, Imams, and Muazzams to strengthen moral values and security awareness, organise seminars on security and youth self-employment, and provide support programmes for widows and orphans across the state.
A major highlight of the event was the ceremonial presentation of marriage certificates and dowries to the couples by Governor Nasir Idris; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Chief Dr. Mujidat Folashade Tinubu; Hajiya Fatima Umar Dikko Radda; Hajiya Amina Umar Namadi; State Minister for Education Prof Suwaiba Said and other dignitaries.
In her remarks, Chief Dr. Mujidat Folashade Tinubu, daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, congratulated the Governor and his wife for sustaining the mass wedding initiative, which she described as a remarkable intervention in promoting family stability.
She also congratulated the newly married couples and prayed for successful and peaceful marriages.
Also speaking, the founder of the NANA’S Foundation and Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. Nafisa Nasir Idris, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful conduct of the third edition of the programme.
She urged the couples to live peacefully, uphold the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), faithfully discharge their responsibilities, and preserve the sanctity of marriage.
She appreciated Governor Nasir Idris for his unwavering support, and thanked members of the organising committee, donors, and other stakeholders for their contributions, and reaffirmed that the initiative was conceived to encourage marriage in line with Islamic teachings while promoting stable families and peaceful communities.
