Kano Bans ‘After-Party,’ ‘Hot Challenge’ Activities at Weddings

The Kano State Censorship Board has suspended activities known as “after-party” and “hot challenge” at wedding ceremonies and other social events held in event centres across the state, saying the move is aimed at protecting the state’s cultural, moral and religious values.

The board announced the directive on Saturday through its Executive Secretary, Abba El-Mustapha, in a statement issued by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Sulaiman.

According to the statement, the decision followed what the board described as the growing spread of the activities at wedding celebrations.

“The attention of the board has been drawn to the growing trend of this activity, which is considered a Western cultural practice increasingly introduced into wedding celebrations in the state,” the statement said.

It added, “Consequently, the board has suspended the practice in order to safeguard the cultural, moral and religious values of the people of Kano State.”

The board said the action forms part of its broader mandate to regulate entertainment activities and ensure public events comply with the state’s cultural and religious standards.

It stressed that it was not opposed to entertainment at weddings, provided such activities promote morality, respect local culture and conform to religious teachings.

The latest directive follows earlier measures by authorities in Kano to regulate entertainment at social gatherings, including restrictions on some wedding-related activities and Western-style DJ performances in parts of the state.

The board directed event centre operators, masters of ceremony, event planners and other stakeholders to comply fully with the order.

It warned that “any individual or organisation found violating the suspension may face appropriate legal sanctions in accordance with the laws enforced by the board.”

The board also urged residents to support enforcement by reporting any event centre or master of ceremony found organising or promoting the suspended activities, provided the incidents occur within Kano State.