From Muhammad Gazali Garba
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has commissioned Izala Jumu’at Mosque in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, renovated and remodeled by the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga.
Speaking Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi commended the Speaker for undertaking the renovation of the mosque, describing the project as an investment in the spiritual wellbeing of the community and a contribution towards strengthening the faith of the Muslim Ummah.
He said the project went beyond the provision of a physical structure, as it would provide a conducive environment for worship, Islamic learning, moral guidance, peaceful coexistence and unity among members of the community.
Dingyadi said he and other political leaders in the area had maintained a strong and cordial relationship with the mosque management committee adding that they had worked together on issues concerning the well-being and development of the community.
The minister urged political office holders and other well-meaning individuals to emulate the Speaker by investing in projects that address the needs and aspirations of their communities.
Dingyadi also commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his commitment to the development of Sokoto State and the implementation of people-oriented projects across various sectors.
He said the impact of the administration’s interventions was being felt in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, security and social development, describing the initiatives as evidence of the government’s commitment to improving the lives and welfare of the people.
The minister particularly praised Governor Aliyu for giving Islamic affairs and education the attention and support they deserved through the construction of new mosques, renovation and modernization of existing ones, as well as planned support for Islamic schools across the state.
He also commended the state government’s initiative of providing monthly stipends to mosques, as well as allowances to Imams, their deputies and muezzins, saying the support would strengthen religious institutions and enable religious leaders to continue promoting Islamic teachings, morals and values.
Dingyadi urged the community to take ownership of the newly renovated mosque and ensure its proper maintenance so that it could continue to serve as a centre of worship, learning, knowledge, moral guidance and peaceful coexistence.
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He also called on religious leaders to use mosques as platforms for promoting peace, unity, tolerance and responsible citizenship among members of the community.
In his remarks, Governor Ahmed Aliyu commended the Speaker for undertaking the project, describing it as a commendable contribution to Islamic propagation, religious affairs and the spiritual wellbeing of the people.
The governor said the promotion of Islamic affairs remained the second pillar of his administration’s nine-point SMART agenda, noting that his government had, since inception, commissioned and constructed model mosques across the state, while several others were at various stages of completion.
He disclosed that the government would soon extend its mosque rehabilitation programme to additional communities, including Isa, Sabon Birni, Balle,Tangaza,Binji ,Bunkari among Others as part of efforts to ensure that communities across the state had decent places of worship.
Governor Aliyu further disclosed that his administration had introduced monthly stipends for mosques, ranging from ₦300,000 to ₦500,000 depending on the size and needs of each mosque.
According to him, the support was in addition to monthly allowances provided to Imams, Islamic scholars and other religious leaders in recognition of their invaluable services to the community.
He also announced plans to renovate existing Islamic schools and construct new ones with suitable facilities, saying the initiative was aimed at promoting Islamic education and instilling good morals and values in children.
The governor said his administration would continue to implement development initiatives that would transform communities while promoting the noble values of Islam.
He urged the management of the newly commissioned mosque and members of the community to take proper care of the facility and ensure that it remained a centre of worship, learning, moral guidance, peace, unity and the fear of Allah.
Governor Aliyu also called on political office holders and other well-meaning members of society to emulate the Speaker by giving back to their communities through projects that address the needs and aspirations of the people.
He expressed appreciation to the Speaker for his contribution to the development of the community and prayed that Almighty Allah would accept the project as an act of worship and reward him abundantly.
Speaking on the project, the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, said the renovation of the mosque was undertaken as part of his commitment to giving back to the community and supporting initiatives that promote the religious and social wellbeing of the people.
He said the mosque was an important institution in the community and that renovating it into a befitting place of worship would provide residents with a conducive environment for performing their religious obligations while strengthening unity and peaceful coexistence.
The Speaker expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, political leaders and members of the community for their support and for honouring the invitation to the commissioning.
He urged the beneficiaries to protect and maintain the facility, assuring them of his continued commitment to supporting initiatives that would contribute to the development and wellbeing of the people of Bodinga and Sokoto State.
Representing the Sultan of the Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, commended the Speaker for the initiative and described the renovation of the mosque as a laudable contribution to the promotion of Islamic affairs and the spiritual wellbeing of the community.
He urged the management and members of the community to sustain the proper maintenance of the facility and use it to promote Islamic teachings,peace and unity among people.
