The Zamfara State Government, through the Zakkat and Endowment Board, has sponsored the mass wedding of 200 female orphans, widows, and less-privileged women as part of its 2025 social intervention programmes.
The event, held on Monday, also marked the conclusion of the board’s annual activities, which included business grants, debt relief support, poultry production training, and computer literacy programmes.
Speaking at the occasion, the First Lady of Zamfara State, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of widows, orphans, and other vulnerable citizens.
She disclosed that her office also provided essential household items to support the newly married couples.
“For the fourth quarter of 2025, the Zakkat Board has successfully delivered a series of life-changing interventions. These include supporting the marriage of 200 female orphans with essential household items such as furniture, bedding, and a ₦200,000 dowry to enable them start their marital lives with dignity,” she said.
She added that other interventions included the settlement of debt-related cases across Shari’ah courts and correctional centres, giving deserving individuals a second chance to rebuild their lives.
“Business grants of ₦50,000 each were given to 200 small-scale traders, many of whom are widows, orphans, and caregivers, boosting their capacity to earn a livelihood. Additionally, 100 individuals received poultry production training along with starter packs to establish their businesses, while 10 orphans were trained in computer literacy and provided with mini computers to enhance their future opportunities,” the First Lady said.
The Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Zakkat and Endowment Board, Habib Balarabe, explained that the initiative aims to reduce poverty and curb street begging by equipping vulnerable families with resources to establish stable homes.
“We organise this event specifically for the less-privileged in Zamfara. We organised it to marry 200 orphans and also provide empowerment programmes such as business grants to help them become self-reliant,” Balarabe said.
Seventeen-year-old Zainab Mohammed, one of the newlywed brides, expressed her gratitude to the state government, saying she preferred marriage over returning to school.
“Honestly, I thank Almighty God and Prophet Mohammed, may the peace of God be upon him. I am very happy. I am not an orphan, and honestly, I prefer marriage to going back to school,” she said.
As part of the intervention, each couple received furniture and a cash gift of ₦30,000. The 100 beneficiaries who completed poultry production training also received starter packs to help them establish small-scale poultry businesses.
