Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, has commenced payment of monthly maintenance imprest to 87 Jumaat Mosques scattered across the three senatorial zones in the state.
Speaking while handing over the cheque to the beneficiary mosques on Wednesday, the governor called Islamic clerics to continue to pray for the state and the country in overcoming it’s challenges over banditry and other form of insecurity.
Aliyu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa, said part of his electoral campaign was to restore the lost glory of all the Jumaat Mosques in the state.
“It was part of my campaign promise during the 2023 electioneering campaign to resume the monthly allowance given to Jumaat mosques as initiated by my leader, Senator Aliyu Wamakko during his administration.
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“Today, I am glad to tell you that the promise has been fulfilled.
“I appeal to all the beneficiary mosques to ensure judicious use of the fund.
Speaking earlier in his remarks, the state Commissioner for religious affairs, Dr Jabir Maihula, said no fewer than 87 Jumaat mosques in the state is expected to benefits from the programme.
The commissioner stated that the beneficiary mosques are divided into three categories. The first category includes 20 mosques that will receive 500,000 naira monthly.
The second category consists of 17 mosques that will receive 400,000 naira each month. The third category, comprising 50 mosques, will receive 300,000 naira monthly.
“Since when we started registration with the bank, the governor has approved the money and today that the account is ready, I am glad to inform you all that every mosque here will go with three months imprest.
“Some of the mosques here will go will 900,000 thousand naira, some 1,2000,000 million naira while sum will get 1,5000,000 million naira, all depends on how much money was allocated to each of the mosque.
“I urge Imam and leaders of the beneficiary mosque to ensure they use the allocation to maintain the mosque by making provisions of necessary facilities to such mosque.
He urged the authorities to put those who have been maintaining and cleaning the mosque out of devotion on the payroll, to help improve their livelihoods and support their families.
The commissioner also called on clerics in the state to avoid politicizing the government’s spending, particularly on religious matters.
He criticized some clerics for inflating figures related to government spending on religion for political reasons, stating that such actions are not appropriate.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, praised the state government for supporting Muslims and their places of worship.
Represented by the Waziri of Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, the Sultan assured that the Sultanate Council would oversee the funds to ensure that the mosques use them for their intended purpose.
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