Brides.
The Kano State Hisbah Board has announced plans to carry out compulsory medical screening for 3,000 prospective couples ahead of a government-sponsored mass wedding initiative.
The Deputy Commander-General of the board, Sheikh Mujahedeen Aminudeen, disclosed that the exercise will involve 1,500 men and 1,500 women selected for the programme.
According to him, the screening will cover tests for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, genotype compatibility, and drug use, with participation in the programme strictly dependent on compliance.
Aminudeen emphasised that any individual who fails to undergo the required medical checks will be disqualified from the exercise.
As part of the support package, each bride will receive household items, including a bed, mattress, and pillows, alongside a cash grant of N100,000 to support small-scale business ventures. In addition, the state government will provide N100,000 as dowry for each bride.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Yusuf, is targeted at less-privileged women, including widows, divorcees, and unmarried women.
Originally introduced during the administration of former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the mass wedding programme is designed to provide social support and improve the welfare of vulnerable groups within the state.
