What Nigerians think about mass weddings

In Kano State, 1,000 couples were married in a mass wedding that consisted mostly of widows and divorcees with Sokoto State planning another for 100 people with a budget of N32 million. Daily Trust spoke to some Nigerians on what they think of the scheme. What the government is doing in terms of the mass […]

In Kano State, 1,000 couples were married in a mass wedding that consisted mostly of widows and divorcees with Sokoto State planning another for 100 people with a budget of N32 million. Daily Trust spoke to some Nigerians on what they think of the scheme.

What the government is doing in terms of the mass wedding is a great thing because it is assisting the poor and will reduce the rate of unmarried men and women. Therefore, it is an act I commend. Also it is being done in line of what Islam has said.

Suleiman Iglas, 42, Contractor, Utako, Abuja

I think the money is being spent irresponsibly. Marriage is something that someone needs to be prepared for financially. Paying for the wedding preparations is not enough since money still needs to be spent on feeding and accommodation too. If the government would pay for that instead of the wedding itself good and fine, otherwise the wedding itself is one destined to fail if money for upkeep is not available.

 

 

Rufai’I Isa, 20, Trader, Utako Village, Abuja

This money can be used for other purposes. The country is in recession and the cost of living is high. Sponsoring weddings is not a priority. There are other ways to help people with the allocated money apart from mass weddings. Getting married is not by force and it will happen whenever God wills it.

 

 

Muhammad Garba, 25, Car washer, Wuse II, Abuja

I believe this would have been a good thing if food was not as expensive as it is today. In the past, a bag of rice went for between N6, 500 and N7, 000 but today it is up to N18, 000. Feeding yourself is a problem not to add the woman and later kids. For the women it is obviously a thing of joy but being married is stress for the man. I hope the states sponsoring these weddings are bearing in mind that they cannot control what happens after and if most of the relationship goes sour, the mass wedding will be considered a failure.

 

 

Muhammad Lukman, 35, Driver, Katsina

It is a very useful move because we live in a time where the number of women outnumbers the number of men. You can go to a house with up to five women who have reached the age of marriage as the parents cannot afford to pay for the wedding necessities. Overall, divorcees will be married once more and men will have partners. It is a great idea that has been put into place.

 

 

Kabir Isa Shehu, 30, Engineer, Utako, Abuja

The mass wedding is a nice concept. Being married brings a sense of love and care and everyone deserves that. The fact that the government in some states are organizing this means that they still care for the wellbeing of their people and are willing to help. If all leaders were like that, it would make Nigeria a better place. Personally, I think people that have not been married before should seize the opportunity and find themselves a wife or husband and be married.

 

 

Victoria Rabo, 27, Student, Wuse, Abuja

I don’t see why they are wasting money on mass weddings. Nothing is moving in the country so why not use that money instead for people to begin businesses. If they sponsor the weddings, will they sponsor the feeding and other necessities too or should they starve afterwards if they cannot feed themselves?

 

 

Ikwe Alex, 33, Unemployed, Mpape, Abuja

I read that there was a woman who gave birth immediately after the marriage and also another case where someone married his sister. So I would say the mass wedding is good for the society. Some men can save the remainder of the money to do other things like start up a business to fend for his family but emphasis should be put on investigations before the marriage. These two cases could have been avoided if the people involved where investigated either by those who plan on marrying them before going forward with the wedding. The foundation is a very sensitive issue where it comes to marriage and should not be treated recklessly. Apart from that, it is a great move.

 

 

Musa Adamu, 25, Electrician, Lafia, Nasarawa State