Extravagant Arewa Weddings: Who Will Speak for the North?
Last week, social media buzzed with images and videos from the extravagant wedding of Kwankwaso’s daughter to Mangal’s son, an event that drew the elite of the ancient city of Kano. This ostentatious celebration epitomized excess with displays of wealth that seemed to outstrip common sense.
The flashy tradition, from the “Kamu” to “Yinin Biki” and “Budan Kai,” showcased not just happiness, but a jaw-dropping exhibition of affluence. Reports of the price tag for the “bude fuskar amarya” varied wildly, with figures cited between £25 million and £25,000. The reality, it seems, is closer to the latter, although a video of the envelope unveiled during the celebration showed no more than ₦1 million at most. Such discrepancies raise eyebrows about authenticity and values.
Indeed, barely 24 hours post-wedding, another video circulated featuring the “kayan lefe” for the marriage of Nasiru Ado Bayero’s daughter and the son of the Deputy Senate President. The sheer volume of boxes—possibly numbering around 50—suggests a staggering cost of approximately ₦50 million, assuming each box is priced at a conservative ₦1 million.
This spectacle didn’t end there. Two more videos soon emerged, showcasing similar scenes from the weddings of Senator Lado Danmarke’s daughter and the daughter of the Governor of Bauchi, each boasting an equal number of lavish boxes.
It is not an exaggeration to estimate that the total cost of these high-society weddings could range anywhere from ₦500 million to ₦1 billion. This is occurring in a region where more than half of school-aged children remain out of school. These figures don’t just reflect individual choices; they underscore a stark contrast between wealth and widespread poverty.
Some may argue that these affluent figures are free to spend their money however they choose. However, a deeper truth persists: much of this wealth is suspected to be siphoned from the public treasury, a harsh reality that fuels such extravagant spending. It’s a troubling reflection of ethics and responsibility.
The economic landscape in our country is indeed grim. Many families struggle to put food on the table, let alone send their children to school. In stark contrast, the elite class—who should serve as the conscience and guiding force of our communities—seem more engrossed in indulgences that hamper local development and progress.
While the North continues to sink deeper into poverty, insecurity, and hopelessness, the question remains: who will advocate for the voiceless and forgotten? Who will challenge the status quo and demand accountability from those in power? In the face of this glaring disparity, we must ask ourselves: how long will we turn a blind eye to the crisis unfolding at our doorstep? The time for reflection and action is now.
Labaran Saleh
