The Kano State Hisbah Board has warned its officials and other government officials against collecting money from prospective couples under the planned mass wedding programmre, warning that any official caught would face the wrath of the law.
The board’s Deputy Commander General, Sheikh Mujahedeen Aminudeen gave the warning in a statement, a copy of which was made available to The Punch on Wednesday.
“It has come to our attention that some individuals are falsely claiming that payments must be made to access these services.Do not allow anyone to deceive you by asking you to pay money for any of these services. Such claims are fraudulent (419).” he said.
He said no Hisbah or state government official was authorized to collect money from prospective couples noting that all the services and items to be provided under the programme are free of charge.
“The entire programme is being sponsored by the state government free. All the services and items provided under this programme are free. No one is required to pay even a single kobo,” the statement said.
The board, therefore, directed prospective couples to report any official that asked them to pay money for any aspect of the programme, to the Hisbah office or the nearest relevant government authority so that appropriate legal action could be taken against him.
“His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, initiated this programme solely for the sake of Allah, so, no official be he state government, local government or Hisba official is authorised to collect any payment whatsoever.
It added that everything provided under the programme is completely free of charge–including the application forms, household items, clothing, premarital medical tests, transportation and delivery of household items to beneficiaries, and other marriage materials.
“The Kano State Hisbah Board wishes also to inform the people of Kano that this mass wedding programme is being conducted under the leadership of the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is acting as the guardian (wali), sponsor, and official representative in solemnising the marriages,” the statement added.
The Kano State Government has set aside the sum of N1.5 billion for its planned mass wedding programme for 3,000 beneficiaries
Already, the board in collaboration with the state ministry of health had conducted medical screening for the prospective couples with a view to ascertaining their health status.
The mandatory medical screening is for hepatitis, pregnancy, HIV, Genotype as well as other sexually transmitted diseases.
