Katsina To Sponsor 1,000 Couples’ Weddings

Katsina State government has commenced arrangements for a large-scale mass marriage programme, popularly known as “Auren Gaya”, targeting 1,000 couples across the state in a bid to promote family stability and social welfare.

The initiative, which will see 2,000 individuals wed under a government-backed arrangement, is underway with the screening and training of selected participants drawn from various local government areas.

As part of the process, intending couples are undergoing compulsory premarital counselling organised by the Al-Usra Marital Support Foundation, an NGO dedicated to strengthening marriages and reducing divorce rates.

Speaking during one of the training sessions, the chairperson of the foundation, Hajiya Murjanatu Ibrahim, said the counselling is aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge and skills required to build successful homes.

She explained that the sessions cover critical areas such as the roles and responsibilities of spouses, mutual understanding, and Islamic teachings on marriage.

To ensure effective coordination, the training has been decentralised into three zones, Katsina, Daura, and Funtua where participants attend sessions based on their local government areas.

According to her, only those who successfully complete the training will be issued certificates, now a mandatory requirement for participation in the mass wedding.

“Without the certificate, they will not be part of the marriage programme,” she stated.

Also speaking, the commander-general of the Katsina State Hisbah Board, Aminu Usman, said the initiative would foster discipline, peaceful coexistence, and stronger family relationships in the state.

He noted that many parents had been unable to marry off their children due to financial constraints, making the programme a timely intervention.

Usman further disclosed that the government would provide essential items for the couples, including dowries and other marriage support packages.

He urged beneficiaries to pray for the success of the programme and to build their marriages on the fear of Allah, warning that the Hisbah Board would monitor the families to ensure compliance and sincerity.

“Those who intend to exploit the programme should know that they will sign undertakings, and we will monitor their homes,” he cautioned.

He added that the mass wedding, scheduled for April 25, 2026, marks the first phase of the initiative, with plans for subsequent phases in the coming months.

On her part, the public relations officer of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Amina Sada Mashi, confirmed that the female participants had undergone screening, including medical tests to ascertain their health status, as well as assessments of their conduct within their communities.

She called on the couples to take full advantage of the programme to build God-fearing families and contribute positively to society.

While the foundation is responsible for the training component, the state government is expected to handle other aspects of the programme, including welfare support for the beneficiaries.

The mass marriage initiative reflects the government’s broader efforts to address social challenges, support vulnerable groups, and encourage stable family life through structured and guided unions.