The Zamfara State Government, through the Zakkat and Endowment Board, has announced comprehensive plans to sponsor the marriages of 200 orphans in the state, in a bid to provide social support, promote family values, and offer hope to vulnerable members of the society. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to addressing social welfare challenges and empowering underprivileged citizens through practical interventions and community engagement.
Speaking to reporters in Gusau, the Board’s Executive Secretary, Malam Habibu Balarabe, said the event has been scheduled to hold on Monday, November 23, 2025, at the Zakkat and Endowment Board’s headquarters. He explained that the preparation for the mass wedding has been meticulous, with all participants undergoing rigorous screening and selection processes to ensure that deserving orphans benefit from the program. “We have carefully screened every participant to make sure that the benefits go to those who truly need them,” Balarabe stated, emphasizing that the event is not just a ceremonial function but also an opportunity for meaningful social support for young men and women who have lost parental care.
Financial and social assistance beyond the wedding
In addition to facilitating the marriages, the Board has put in place a multi-dimensional support program aimed at improving livelihoods and ensuring long-term empowerment for women and youths across the state. As part of this initiative, financial assistance will be provided to 200 women who operate small businesses, enabling them to strengthen their income-generating activities. Balarabe highlighted that these funds will help recipients expand their enterprises and achieve financial independence, thereby contributing to overall community development.
Further support will be extended to 100 women who recently completed a three-week poultry farming training. These women will receive starter kits, including essential equipment and materials, to help them commence and sustain their poultry businesses. “The goal is to equip women with practical tools and knowledge to ensure they succeed in their ventures,” Balarabe said, noting that such empowerment initiatives complement the mass wedding by fostering economic stability among families in the state.
Additionally, the Board is making provisions to assist in clearing selected debt cases in Shari’ah Courts and correctional facilities across Zamfara State. This move is part of a broader strategy to provide social justice and reduce the burden on vulnerable individuals who may be hindered by financial or legal challenges. Furthermore, some orphans who have successfully completed computer training programs will be provided with starter equipment during the mass wedding event, enabling them to apply their skills and improve their employability and income potential.
Through this comprehensive approach, the Zamfara State Government and the Zakkat and Endowment Board aim not only to celebrate marriages but also to create sustainable avenues for economic empowerment, social inclusion, and long-term development for orphans and women in the state. The initiative is expected to receive significant attention from local communities, media, and civil society organizations, highlighting a model of government intervention that blends humanitarian support with practical capacity-building efforts.