By Muawuya Bala Idris Katsina
Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the North-West Governors’ Forum, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has reaffirmed the commitment of governors in the region to promoting peace, stability and development across the North-West.
Governor Radda stated this on Saturday when he attended the Auren Gata mass wedding programme organised by the Kano State Government in collaboration with the Kano Hisbah Board.
According to him, governments have a responsibility to support citizens and improve the wellbeing of communities, describing the Auren Gata initiative as a community-focused intervention designed to assist families and promote social stability.
“When we took the oath of office, we pledged to serve the people and work for their well-being. Initiatives like this show that commitment in action,” he said.
The statement was contained in a press release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, on Saturday.
Governor Radda assured Kano State of the full support of the North-West Governors’ Forum, saying programmes that promote family stability and social support are beneficial to the entire region.
He appreciated religious leaders, traditional rulers, the business community and other stakeholders for their support and guidance to the beneficiaries.
Radda also commended Islamic scholars for their teachings on marriage, family values, patience and mutual responsibility, noting that their contributions encourage governments to implement people-oriented programmes.
He congratulated the 1,500 newly married couples and urged them to build their homes on love, patience, mutual respect and understanding.
Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the Auren Gata programme was part of his administration’s commitment to supporting families across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas and 484 wards.
He said the state government provided resources for medical screening, marriage support and welfare packages for the couples.
According to him, each couple received support for dowry and business start-up, alongside household items to help them establish their homes.
Governor Yusuf added that the beneficiaries also participated in counselling sessions, workshops and seminars designed to prepare them for married life.
He urged the couples to uphold the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, while embracing patience, fairness and peaceful coexistence in their homes.
The event featured sermons and prayers by prominent Islamic scholars, including Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, Sheikh Bashir Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and Sheikh Kabir Haruna Gombe.
Dignitaries in attendance included Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Umar Namadi; Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Tafida; Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir; Kano State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo; former Kano State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau; APC National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Mohammed Argungu; and Katsina State Chief of Staff, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir.
Also present were federal and state lawmakers, members of the Katsina and Kano State Executive Councils, traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of the diplomatic and business communities, development partners, civil society organisations and security agencies.