Ubandoman Commissions Remodelled Sheikh Sidi Attahiru Juma’at Mosque

Ubandoman Commissions Remodelled Sheikh Sidi Attahiru Juma’at Mosque

By Muhammad Gazali Garba

The Ubandoman Sokoto, Malam Sa’idu Umar, on Friday commissioned the Sheikh Sidi Attahiru Juma’at Mosque along Ali Akilu Road in the metropolis, which was renovated and remodelled by the Sokoto State Government.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Ahmed Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting Islamic affairs through the construction and remodelling of Juma’at mosques, financial support to religious institutions and investment in Islamic education across the state.

The Governor said the promotion of Islamic affairs constitutes the second pillar of his administration’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda, immediately after security.

He explained that the government had prioritised the provision of befitting and conducive places of worship for Muslim faithful across the state.

He disclosed that the administration had successfully commissioned a number of newly constructed and remodelled model Juma’at mosques, while work on an additional 15 mosques had commenced in Tangaza, Tureta, Isa and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas.

Governor Aliyu further disclosed that his administration had introduced monthly financial support for more than 90 Juma’at mosques within the Sokoto metropolis to assist with their operational and maintenance costs.

He explained that the monthly support ranges from ₦200,000 to ₦500,000, depending on the size and needs of each mosque.

The Governor said the initiative was in addition to the monthly allowances provided to Imams, their deputies and Muezzins, in recognition of their invaluable contributions to religious development and community service.

On Islamic education, Governor Aliyu said the government would prioritise the renovation of existing Islamic schools and the construction of new ones during the current fiscal year, to strengthen Islamic education and inculcate sound moral values in children.

He also highlighted the resuscitation of the State Hisbah Board, which he said was mandated to promote morality, uphold Islamic values and foster a cleaner, safer and more disciplined society in line with Islamic teachings.

The Governor further disclosed that his administration, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, had organised capacity-building workshops for Imams across the state’s 23 local government areas to strengthen their leadership capacity and promote peaceful coexistence.

According to him, the training had been conducted in the 13 local government areas within the Sokoto South and Sokoto Central Senatorial Districts in September and October respectively, while the remaining eight local government areas in the Sokoto East Senatorial District were scheduled to benefit in November.

He emphasised that investing in the capacity of Imams was an investment in the spiritual and social well-being of the people, considering their important roles in promoting religious harmony, moral discipline, peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.

The Governor urged the management of the mosque and members of the surrounding community to take proper care of the facility and ensure that it served as a centre for worship, moral instruction, peace and unity.

He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts towards national development, particularly his recent prayers during the Umrah pilgrimage, seeking divine intervention in addressing the challenges confronting Nigeria.

Earlier, the special guest of honour, Malam Sa’idu Umar, Malam Ubandoman Sokoto, commended Governor Aliyu for what he described as an unprecedented commitment to Islamic propagation and the welfare of religious institutions in the state.

He disclosed that the administration had constructed and remodelled more than 70 major Juma’at mosques within and outside the Sokoto metropolis, with over 50 completed and commissioned, while others were at various stages of completion.

The special guest also acknowledged the government’s donation of 18-seater buses to several Islamic organisations and communities to support their Da’awah activities, as well as the procurement and distribution of Muslim prayer mats to mosques across the state.

He particularly praised the introduction of monthly financial support to Juma’at mosques, describing the initiative as a remarkable intervention which, in his view, was unprecedented in the northern part of the country.

Malam Ubandoman further commended the government for extending monthly allowances to Imams, their deputies and Muezzins, noting that the gesture would encourage religious leaders in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He also recalled the Governor’s commitment to supporting Islamic organisations conducting annual Ramadan Tafsir programmes in the state, saying the initiative would eliminate the need for religious groups to solicit financial contributions from individuals to organise the programmes.

He expressed optimism that the Governor would fulfil the commitment and prayed to Almighty Allah to grant him good health and long life to continue serving the people.

On security, the special guest applauded the administration’s procurement and distribution of security vehicles, including armoured vehicles and other operational equipment, to security agencies to strengthen the fight against banditry and other security challenges.

He equally commended the government for constructing township and rural roads across the state, as well as completing major water projects initiated by the previous administration.

Malam Ubandoman urged Governor Aliyu to sustain the pace of development, while calling on the management of the mosque and worshippers to maintain the facility and utilise it not only for prayers but also as a centre for moral instruction, community development and peaceful coexistence.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Professor Jabir Sani Maihulla, commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his uncommon commitment to the promotion of Islamic affairs and the welfare of religious institutions in the state.

He described the remodelling of the Sheikh Sidi Attahiru Juma’at Mosque as a clear demonstration of the administration’s resolve to provide befitting places of worship, assuring that the Ministry would continue to work closely with Imams, mosque committees and other stakeholders to ensure proper maintenance and effective utilisation of mosques across the state.

In his goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his sustained commitment to the promotion of Islam and the welfare of religious institutions in the state.

The Sultan described the remodelling of the Sheikh Sidi Attahiru Juma’at Mosque and the continued support to mosques, Imams and Islamic scholars as a worthy investment in faith and community development. He prayed to Almighty Allah to reward the Governor, grant the state lasting peace and unity, and bless the mosque as a centre for worship, learning and moral guidance for the Muslim Ummah.

*The ceremony was attended by the State APC Leader, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, the Member representing Bodinga, Dange-Shuni and Tureta Federal Constituency, Nasiru Shehu Bobo, the Secretary to the State Government, Bello Muhammad Sifawa, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Aminu Haliru Dikko, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Islamic scholars, among others.*