The leader of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, has urged Nigerian families to reconsider how much they spend on weddings, frowning at the practice of showing off with expensive aso-ebi clothes and bridal makeup.
Speaking during the 20th anniversary event of the Crystal Muslim Organisation, CMO, in Abuja, Bamalli encouraged families to use these funds to help those in need within society.
He said, “You will see our people spending millions of naira just on cosmetics when a girl gets married, and it’s because some crazy parents spend up to $10,000 on this makeup.
“To buy aso-ebi for half a million naira, like N200,000 or N300,000, that’s something I completely don’t agree with. There are a lot of people on the streets who don’t have enough food to eat three proper meals each day. So, this is rampant in our society. But some of us have taken stands. For me, I’ve never spent any money on buying aso-ebi or cosmetics for girls who are getting married.
“No. If the mother decides to do that, that’s up to her to handle. If anyone wants to take on the project, go ahead, but I won’t put any money into it.”
He also said that, because of the country’s present financial condition, that sort of big spending wasn’t needed.
The monarch encouraged families to tell their children to spend money on things that will help them grow stronger, more independent and bring people together in their communities.
He added: “They spend lavishly on highly unnecessary parties. I’m not saying you shouldn’t celebrate, but there are some things we need to reduce. We have to tell ourselves the truth.
“If you’re living a really good life but the people around you can’t even afford three meals a day, I think there’s a problem, and that’s what puts us in danger in our society.”
