State Government sponsors mass wedding for 200 orphans, widows, others
State Government sponsors mass wedding for 200 orphans, widows, others
The Zamfara State Government has facilitated the wedding of 200 less-privileged women, including orphans and widows, under its 2025 social welfare initiatives coordinated by the Zakkat and Endowment Board.
The ceremony, held on Monday, marked the climax of the board’s fourth-quarter programmes, which also featured debt settlement support, business empowerment, poultry training and digital literacy schemes
Zamfara’s First Lady, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, said the mass wedding aligned with the government’s push to uplift vulnerable groups and improve their quality of life.
Zamfara, Mass wedding
Zamfara State’s First Lady, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, during the mass wedding for 200 less-privileged women, including orphans and widows. Photo: Channels.
The First Lady noted that her office contributed household essentials to help the beneficiaries begin their marriages with dignity.
“For the fourth quarter alone, the board has rolled out multiple interventions.
“We also provided assistance to individuals with debt-related cases in Shari’ah courts and correctional centres, business grants of ₦50,000 for small-scale traders, and poultry starter packs for trainees beginning their own ventures,” she said, listing support that included furniture, bedding and a ₦200,000 dowry for each of the 200 brides.
She added that 10 orphans and children from low-income homes had received computer training and mini laptops to enhance their educational prospects.
Zamfara State’s First Lady, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, during the mass wedding 200 less-privileged women, including orphans and widows.
Zamfara State venue for a mass wedding for 200 less-privileged women, including orphans and widows. Photo: Channels.
“These efforts mirror our collective vision for a more empowered and resilient Zamfara State,” the First Lady said.
Executive Secretary of the Zakkat and Endowment Board, Habib Balarabe, explained that the mass wedding is one of several strategies designed to combat poverty and discourage street begging.
“This initiative is targeted at the most vulnerable people in the state.
Beyond the wedding, we are providing business support so these women and their families can build stable homes and rely less on handouts,” he said.
Zamfara. Mass wedding.
Participants during the Zamfara State mass wedding for 200 less-privileged women, including orphans and widows. Photo: Channels.
One of the beneficiaries, 17-year-old Zainab Mohammed, thanked the state government.
When asked about her decision, she said she chose to get married rather than continue with her education.
“I am grateful to God and to the government. I’m very happy. I’m not an orphan, but I prefer marriage to going back to school,” she said.
Along with furniture items, each couple also received ₦30,000 in cash to support their new households.
Meanwhile, trainees who completed poultry production classes were presented with starter kits to help them launch small-scale poultry businesses.
