Zamfara State First Lady, Hajiya Huriyya Lawal, has offset the debts of 436 inmates, amounting to N67,204,700, enabling their release from various correctional centres across the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that she announced this during a mass wedding ceremony for 200 orphans held in Gusau, the state capital.
According to her, the inmates had been convicted over debt-related offences recorded in 54 Sharia Courts across Zamfara.
She said the Zakkat and Endowment Board, working with the Sharia Court of Appeal, conducted a thorough verification of all cases.
“Zakkat and Endowment Board, in collaboration with Sharia Court of Appeal, had carefully reviewed all the affected persons for authenticity,” she said.
Huriyya urged the freed individuals to take advantage of the gesture to rebuild their lives and avoid any acts that could jeopardise their freedom.
Addressing the newly married couples, she encouraged them to embrace harmony, love, and adherence to Islamic principles.
Chairman of the Zakkat and Endowment Board, Mallam Umar Kanoma, appealed to politicians and philanthropists to support the board’s humanitarian activities, noting that the agency is non-political and focused on assisting vulnerable groups.
He commended the state government for its sustained backing.
Meanwhile, the First Lady has also launched the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, reaffirming her commitment to the fight against violence toward women in Zamfara.
The annual global campaign, held in collaboration with the State Ministry for Women, Children and Social Development Affairs, aims to raise awareness about violence against women and mobilise action to end abuse.
Describing gender-based violence as a barrier to social well-being and development, Huriyya stressed the need for collective responsibility.
“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 stronger collaboration with security agencies to safeguard communities, expand safe spaces, and provide counselling and psychosocial support. She also highlighted the need to promote digital safety, encourage cybercrime reporting, and end stigma and harmful cultural practices.
The First Lady noted that this year’s theme underscores a critical message: “Digital violence is real violence.”
