Olushola Omogbehin
Zamfara State Government under its 2025 social welfare initiatives that is coordinated by the Zakkat and Endowment Board, has conducted wedding for 200 less-privileged women, orphans and widows.
The ceremony which was held on Monday was part of its 2025 social intervention programmes, to conclude its annual activities. It included business grants, debt relief support, poultry production training and computer literacy programmes.
According to the First Lady of the state, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, the mass wedding is in line with the government’s push to upgrade vulnerable groups and improve their quality of life.
Mrs Lawal, stated during the event that her office provided essential household items to support the newly married couples, in order to complement the state government’s efforts at improving their wellbeing.
“For the 4th quarter of 2025, the Zakat Board has successfully delivered a series of life-changing interventions, which include: support for the marriage of 200 female orphans, through essential household items such as furniture, bedding, and a ₦200,000 dowry, to enable them to begin their marital lives with respect and comfort.
“Settlement of debt-related cases across Shari’ah courts and correctional centres, granting deserving individuals a second chance to regain freedom and rebuild their lives honorably.
“Business grants of ₦50,000 each for 200 small-scale traders, many of whom are widows, orphans, and caregivers, boosting their capacity to earn a livelihood and become financially independent. Training and empowerment of 100 individuals in poultry production, each to receive a starter pack to establish their own poultry business.
“Computer literacy training for 10 orphans and children from less privileged homes, who will each be provided with mini computers to enhance their learning and future opportunities.
“These achievements symbolize the vision we share for a more empowered, self-reliant, and prosperous Zamfara State. To support these noble efforts, the office of the First Lady has also donated essential household items, further strengthening this intervention,” the she stated.
Speaking also, the board’s Executive Secretary, Habib Balarabe, said the event will support vulnerable families with resources to start a stable home which was one of the way to address poverty and end street begging.
“We organize this event specially for the less-privileged people who are in Zamfara State. We organized it to marry 200 orphans. We also organize another programme for them that will empower them while still in their houses, like giving them a token to start businesses. We are doing it to reduce poverty in the state, and we are also doing it to reduce the way people are going around begging,” Balarabe said.
One of the new brides named 17-year-old Zainab Mohammed, who appreciated the state government for the initiative said she prefer marriage to going to school.
“Honestly, I thank Almighty God and Prophet Mohammed, may the peace of God be with him. I am very happy. I am not an orphan. Honestly, I prefer marriage to going to school.”
Each couple also received ₦30,000 in cash to support their new households with furniture items while trainees who completed poultry production training were presented with starter kits to help them start small-scale poultry businesses.
