The Kebbi State government, in collaboration with the Arugungu Emirate, married off 100 widows and divorced women, yesterday, in a mass wedding held at the emir’s palace.

It is the first by the Emirate, though sponsored by the Kebbi State Government and Arugungu Local Government.

The government said the move would provide the women with stable homes, financial and social security.

A bride price of N20,000 was paid by Kebbi State governor, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, on behalf of each husband. The governor’s wife, Dr Zainab Bagudu, gave N30,000 each to the bride to start a business.