Gombe Gov assures of administration’s commitment to religious freedom
Joshua Danmalam
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing conducive environment for religious organisations to thrive in peace and harmony in the State.
The Governor stated this on Wednesday, during the foundation laying ceremony of the reconstruction of Kaltungo Central Mosque, adding that religious harmony and peace are the catalysts for social economic and political development.
Represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Solid Minerals Development, Shehu Ibrahim Madugu, the Governor commended the Mai Kaltungo, Engr. Saleh Mohammed, for initiating the project.
Yahaya assured him and the entire people of the Chiefdom of his administration’s support in the execution of the project.
He also appealed to the Muslim Ummah to contribute meaningfully to the project as doing so amounts to heavenly investment and reward.
Reeling out a brief background of the Central Mosque, the Chairman of the 15 man Committee for the reconstruction of the mosque Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, said the re-construction of the Sixty year old Mosque built by the late Premier of Northern Nigeria Sir Ahmadu Bello was informed by the increase in population of worshippers.
Njodi added that the first step taken by the committee was the architectural and engineering design of the Mosque with a capacity of 2,000 worshippers, stressing that the mosque when completed has a separate section for women, an Islamic Centre and other facilities.
He appealed to those who will want to contribute to the reconstruction of the mosque to do so by paying into the the following account number: First Bank Account Number; Current Account: 2032881886 or Savings Account 3018841649.
The Chairman explained that the bill of qualities relating to the entire cost of the project is put at two hundred and fifty Million naira.
He noted that through the express approval of the Mai Kaltungo, the committee was able to achieve 47% completion of the project.
The SSG lauded the Emir of Gwandu who he said has showed keen interest in the execution of the project, as he called on other wealthy Muslims to emulate him.
In a welcome address, the Mai Kaltungo Engr. Saleh Mohammed, appreciated all those who responded to his invitation stating that when completed the project will afford worshippers and Islamic students alike a convenient atmosphere to conduct their activities.
Others who spoke at occasion includes; the State Grand Khadi Abdulkadir Maikano, Emir of Dukku Haruma Abdulkadir, and Sheikh Hamza Abdullahi all of whom enjoined Muslims within and outside Kaltungo Chiefdom to contribute towards the actualization of the project stating that whoever contributed to building a Mosque or Islamic School is investing in paradise.
On his part, The representative of the Emir of Gwandu Alhaji Ibrahim Iliyasu (Iyan Gwandu), who unveiled the plaque and performed the foundation laying ceremony also lauded the effort of the people towards the project.
Emir of Dukku, the Balah Waja, Folo Dadiya, Mai Tula, District Heads, eminent Islamic Clerics and other traditional title holders as well as top government functionaries attended the ceremony.
Joshua Danmalam, Information Officer SSG’S Office.
