Sokoto state Governor, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, has disbursed over ninety million naira as monthly maintenance imprest on 87 Jumaat Mosques spread across the state.
Speaking while handing over the cheque to the beneficiary mosques on Wednesday 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.
The governor 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 that I will resume the monthly allowance 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 fulfill. 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 in the programme.
The commissioner said the beneficiary Mosques are designated into three categories with the first category which is 20 Mosque collecting 500, 000 naira monthly, the second set which consists of 17 Mosques will receive 4000,000 monthly while the third set which consist of 50 mosques will receive sum of 300,000 naira every month.
“Since when we start the issue of 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 urged 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 further appeal to them to engage those who have been maintaining and cleaning the mosque for the sake of God then to be on payroll so as to help them to make a better living for their families.
The commissioner further appealed to clerics in the state not to politicize issue of government spending especially on religion. He said a situation where some clerics for political reasons gives a conflicting and inflated figure on government spending as in related to religion issue as not good enough.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, commend the state government for identifying with Muslim and their worship place.
Sultan Abubakar, who was represented by the Waziri of Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, however assured that the Sultanate council will monitor the money and ensure the beneficiary mosques used them for its purpose.
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