Stick to one wife – Zazzau Emir tells northerners

The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, has advised men facing financial challenges to limit themselves to one wife in order to better provide for and nurture responsible families.

He expressed concern over the negative impact of polygamy, noting that many family leaders are failing to fulfill their obligations.

During his address at the closing of the 30th annual Ramadan lecture of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), the Emir emphasized that while Islam permits men to marry more than one woman, this right does not necessarily mean that every man is financially capable of supporting multiple families.

He shared an example from his palace, where 192 families reside, with some men having more than 50 children. “How can someone adequately care for such a large number of dependents?”; he questioned.

The Emir also called for changes in the Islamiyya education system to better incorporate teachings on the rights of girls. He believes this shift could lead to more progressive communities.

Further, he criticized the judiciary for aggravating societal issues, pointing to the case of a young woman sentenced to two years in prison over a small debt of N6,000. “When I visited the prison, I had only N200,000, yet I was able to secure the release of eight people,” he recounted.

The Emir noted that the palace frequently relies on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods to address challenges in areas such as marriage, inheritance, and land disputes, which he described as major sources of family strife.

In her remarks, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, called on the Ulama to motivate men to take greater responsibility in their homes.

She emphasized that many responsibilities have shifted to women, and it’s time for men to step up.

Meanwhile, Hajiya Nafisa Isah, the Amirah of FOMWAN Kaduna State, announced that the organization is working on establishing a fully operational skills acquisition center to empower both women and youth.