The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Tuesday sought the regulation of marriage, naming ceremony and circumcision expenses in the state.
This development followed the presentation of a private member bill sponsored by Alhaji Abubakar Yabo (APC-Yabo), and co-sponsored by Alhaji Faruk Balle (PDP-Gudu).
The bill reads: “A Bill for a law to regulate expenses in marriages, naming ceremonies and circumcision and other matters connected therewith.”
Presenting the bill, Yabo, said the notice was brought pursuant to Order 11, Rule 2(2), of the Sokoto State House of Assembly Standing Orders, 2019.
“This empowers members who wish to present a private member Bill to come by way of notice of motion, hence the application.
“The bill, if allowed, intends to regulate and reduce to the barest minimum, the high rate of expenses and extravagances in the ceremonies,” he said.
The lawmaker said: ”It is obvious that the unwholesome practices negatively affects the highly revered institutions of marriage, naming and circumcision, thereby causing economic setbacks and financial meltdown in the society.
“This ugly trend, if continued unchecked and unregulated, will continue to make marriages very difficult, thereby promoting promiscuity, adultery and homosexuality among our teeming populace.
“It is worth noting that inability of an intended groom to meet up with such unwholesome practices often lead to breakup in marriages,” he said.
According to him, the practices include ”highly bloated I see I love, kayan lefe, tarbon lefe, bukin yan kuidu and slaughtering of cow during naming ceremonies.”
He said the practices had left the society with nothing, but having a number of divorces, which is a security threat, particularly in the security quagmire in the state.
“Therefore, I believe, this proposed bill is timely and more of a clarion call towards safeguarding the institution, in accordance with prophetic Sunnah,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Assembly, presided by the Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Abubakar Magaji, unanimously accepted the presentation of the Bill.
In another development, the Assembly, following the request by Bello Ambarura (APC-Illela) and Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, has adopted its House sitting calendar for the fourth session commencing from June 15, 2022, to May 25 2023.
The adoption specifically identified Adjournment Sine Die on May 26, 2023, indicating the end of 9th Assembly in the state.
