LAGOS, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's northwestern Kebbi state on Saturday married off 100 widows and divorcees in a mass wedding held in Argungu area of the state.
The marriages were arranged by the state to reportedly reduce the number of women, widowed or divorced, who were left to fend for themselves and their children.
State governor Abubakar Bagudu urged parents to respect the marriage institution as it was a way to reduce single women in the society.
The state paid 20,000 naira (55 U.S. dollars) for the brides, with gifts including enamel bowls, blankets and bed sheet that are symbol of their married status.
The state government also donated furniture and kitchen utensils worth about 416 dollars to each couple, and about 83 dollars to the brides to start their businesses.
