The Sultan of Sokoto and President General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs NSCIA, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III has implored Nigerians to support the smooth transition of government come May 29th.
The Sultan made the appeal at the inauguration of the Abuja National Mosque Management Board and the Board of Trustees of Education, Social and Health Mission, in Abuja the nation’s capital.
The religious leader, in his speech, said “Peace is a critical platform for individual and societal to progress.”
He said; “Let no one contemplate the disruption of smooth handling over of power from the outgoing administration to the incoming one. It is my conviction that together, with greater commitment and patriotism, we can build a peaceful and prosperous Country.
“Our dear Country is once again at a historical junction. In a matter of days, precisely on the 29th of May 2023, there will be a change of baton from one Administration to another. It has been two dozen years of unbroken civilian rule.”
“The opportunity for the people to play a participatory role in deciding who governs them is a unique beauty of the democratic culture that must never be taken for granted. We are deeply elated with this trajectory.
“The predictions and projections by our implacable adversaries that as a people, we were going to go into disintegration and anarchy, have been marked by suffocating disappointment.
“While we would not simulate that we have achieved perfection in all that we desire and pray for as a country, that we have not been at war with one another, is a treasure that must not be miniaturized or taken for granted.
“Regardless of what our feelings may be, it is imperative that we collectively work to protect the democratic culture,” the Sultan stated.
According to him, the Council, being the custodian of the National Mosque, on behalf of the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah, and in line with the Rules and Regulations for the Abuja National Mosque, has from time to time constituted the Board for its management.
He said the tenure of the last Board, under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, Niger State North central Nigeria, expired in 2017 and for compelling reasons remained, until now, un-constituted.
“I wish to take advantage of this opportunity to, on behalf of the entire Ummah, appreciate our revered Murshid, Professor Shehu Ahmad Galadanci, for his meritorious service and the successes recorded within the short period he superintended over the administration of the Mosque.
“Some of the achievements are; the construction of the shopping mall, the establishment of an ICT training centre, the renovation of the Mosque, the setting up of an academy, securing additional land allocations, and the setting up of a clinic, among others.”
The Sultan said; “I hope that the new Board under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness, the Etsu Nupe will join hands with the leadership of the Council, the Murshid and other stakeholders to continue in the efforts to take the Mosque to its lofty position through positive innovations, commitment and consultations.
“Brothers and sisters in Islam, on behalf of the General Assembly and the National Executive Committee (NEC)of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, I hereby inaugurate the Abuja National Mosque Management Board, as reconstituted.
I pray Almighty Allah to grant the new Board the vision, wisdom and ability to bring the desired development to the Mosque.”
The Council, as part of its efforts toward actualizing its avowed missions “to cater for, preserve, protect, promote and advance the interest of Islam and Muslims throughout Nigeria, established a relief and social project implementing arm in 2017, called “Education, Social and Health Mission.”
The objective of the independent Mission that provides basic services on education, social and health supports to the less privileged people in the Nigerian society.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
