Africa
Nigerian state weds 500 to stave off divorce
State-sponsored marriages will be banned from divorce without government permission.
Last Modified: 16 Jul 2012 08:51

Divorce rates in northern Nigeria are among the highest in West Africa, with one in three marriages are said to fail within the first three years. 

Taking this into consideration, the state government of Kano hosted a mass wedding ceremony for 250 divorcees, widows and young unmarried girls.

The newlyweds were helped to find their partners, and provided with furniture, clothing, food and money.

This support comes with a strict condition. Organisers say the men who marry through this programme will not be allowed to divorce their wives without permission from the state government.

Al Jazeera's Mohammed Adow reports from from Kano, Nigeria.

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Al Jazeera
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