The Zamfara First Lady, Hajiya Huriyya Lawal, has settled the debts owed by 436 freed inmates, totalling N67,204,700, so they can regain their freedom.

The governor’s wife disclosed this at an event to wed 200 orphans held in Gusau, the state capital.

According to her, the inmates were convicted of debt crisis collected from the 54 Sharia Courts across the state.

“Zakkat and Endowment Board, in collaboration with Sharia Court of Appeal, had carefully reviewed all the affected persons for authenticity”, she added.

Huriyya appealed to the freed inmates to use the opportunity to reshape their lives for better living and to shun any unlawful act that would deprive them of their freedom.

The governor’s wife also urged the newlywedded 200 couples to embrace themselves with love, and live in accordance with the teachings of Islamic Sharia.

In his remarks, the Chairman Zakkat and Endowment Board, Mallam Umar Kanoma, called on politicians and other philanthropists to support the activities of the board.

According to him, the board is non-political and was established to address the needs and challenges of vulnerable people within the state.

He commended the state government for its unwavering support to the State Zakkat Board.

In other news, the First Lady has flagged off the 2025 16 Days Activism on gender-based violence, GBV, dedicating her efforts to the fight against violence towards women in the State.

The Guardian reports that the 16 Days Activism on gender based violence is an annual global commemoration that specifically advocates against violence against women.

The commemoration was organised by the office of the Zamfara State First Lady in collaboration with the State Ministry for Women, Children and Social Development Affairs.

Speaking, the First Lady described gender-based violence as a factor that remains a profound threat to social well-being and development, saying that there is a need for a movement to call for unity, action and accountability.

“Our priorities this year are to strengthen the enforcement of laws that protect survivors, supporting access to justice for victims of online and offline abuse,” she said.

She called for collaboration with security agencies to protect communities, expand safe spaces, provide psychosocial support and counselling, promote digital safety and responsible online behaviour, and encourage cybercrime reporting, as well as end stigma, silence, and harmful cultural practices.

The First Lady noted that this year’s theme is a powerful reminder that “Digital violence is real violence.