From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi state government has targeted over 100 Jumu’at Mosque across the 21 local government areas of the state for total rehabilitation Including Emir’s Gwandu Mosque as part of the campaign promises of the incumbent Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris.
Special Adviser to the Kebbi state Governor, on Religions Affairs, Engr. Imran Ibn-Usman confirmed this while speaking with newsmen after inspections of jumu’at mosques undergoing renovations in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital including that Sheik Abbas Jega Mosque, Jokolo Jumu’at Mosque among others.
Usman explained that, Governor Nasir Idris has approved the proposal of the rehabilitation of over 100 mosques in the state with 40 of such mosques fall within the state capital while 60 other were spread across other parts of the state.
According to him,”with what I saw from the Mosques we have visited today,that is the Jokolo’s mosque, Shirk Abbass Jega at Rafin Atiku, we have seen how the renovations are going on. And if you see that of Birnin Kebbi central Mosque, renovation has almost reach 100 percent completion. By the God grace, people will start praying in the mosque soon.
“ And this Emir Gwandu’s mosque, this has almost completed. All these mosques I mentioned billed for renovations were all approved by the Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris who gave the approval and all the necessary support to ensure the contractors were mobilized to hasten their works.
“ Just as you all see the Emir Gwandu’s Mosques like Jumuat Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia. We give glory to God for this opportunity,given us good leader like Governor Nasir Idris and we pray that all these projects would continue to serve the people and humanity in general . So, we are satisfied with the contractors work so far”.
Usman noted that, all the major mosques in Birnin kebbi would be renovated and others approved mosques would be renovated and completed within few months.
“ Out of these number, 40 will be from Binin Kebbi and other 60 will be spread across other parts of the local government areas in the state. So, each Local government area would have three mosques to be renovated very soon. All these were approved by the Governor without cut- down the proposed. All these mosques, would have solar lights installed, carpet, fencing and other necessary things needed would be installed. The Governor is doing these because he always want to execute projects that have direct impacts on the people of the state”.
Usman, however appealed to the beneficiaries of the renovated Mosques to maintain the Mosques, the cleaning, security as well as those that would be sanitizing the entire environment.
In his remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yahaya Sarki, noted that the renovation of the mosques across the state are just tip of the ice-bag,stressed that the Governor are fully determined to strive harder in the area of execution of the development projects in the state.
“ So, today, this is the testament of the Governor’s promises to carry all the people along in his administration especially the religions leaders both Muslims and christians. As you heard,the Governor has been supporting all the religious organizations irrespective of their societies and sects. Just of recent, the Governor attended the Mauludu Nabiyi of Tijaniyah of Nigeria held in Birnin kebbi where he supported them in term of logistics and also donated the sum of N50million. And he has been doing the same to other sects and Christianity. This Governor don’t discriminate against any religion. He recently appointed Special Adviser on Christianity. All what the Governor is requesting from the people is their prayers and support to ensure his administration succeeded”.
While appreciating the efforts of the Governor, the Caretaker (Muazzin) of Emir of Gwandu Jumu’at Mosque, Birnin Kebbi,Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, commended Dr. Nasir Idris for his commitment and determination to ensure all people of the state felt the impact of the government stressed that apart from the renovation of the mosques, they have been seen many changes across the state in term of infrastructure development.
A Ward Leader in Birnin Kebbi, Alhaji Mustapha Illiyasu Hakimi shiyar Sarakuna, promised that the beneficiaries of the renovated mosques would provide adequate maintenance and proper security for the mosques within their domains.
