Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State says the state government has expended N1.5 billion on mass wedding programme, covering medical screening, dowry, furniture, and other items for the couples.

Gov. Yusuf made the disclosure on Saturday during a reception and the distribution of furniture, among other items, to the couples at the Kano State Government House.

He said the present administration had committed over N1.5 billion to ensure the successful implementation of the programme and to provide comprehensive support to the newly married couples.

“This expenditure covered medical screening for all the brides and grooms to safeguard their health and that of their future children.

“Similarly, we provided the payment of N100,000 as dowry, in addition to another N100,000 as capital grant to serve as seed capital for starting a business and promoting self-reliance.

“We also provided household furniture and essential items, including beds, mattresses, and other necessities to enable the couples to begin their married lives comfortably.

“Government has also provided food items and other essential commodities to cushion the hardship they may encounter during the early days of their marriage,” he said.

The governor called on the new couples to strive to maintain peace, harmony, mutual respect, and understanding in their homes.

He reminded the couples that marriage “is an act of worship”, while urging them to conduct their matrimonial lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Kabir-Yusuf said the mass wedding programme, known as Auren Gata, was one of the key campaign promises he made ahead of the 2023 general election.

“Let me remind us that the Auren Gata programme was one of the key promises that we made during our campaign across all the 44 local government areas of Kano state ahead of the 2023 general elections.