News Editor
By Olu Balovun
Muslim Media Watch of Group of Nigeria, MMWG, has hailed the decision of the President/CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote to take over the building of a N1.1 billion 250-bed students’ hostel at the University of Ilorin from the Ilorin Central Mosque Management Committee.
MMWG also commended the management committee led by the Danmadami of Ilorin, Alhaji Shehu Abdul-Gafar “for its dedication and commitment to the service of Almighty Allah which has led to several achievements in ensuring proper maintenance of Ilorin Ultra-Modern Central Jumaat Mosque since when the remodelling and reconstruction of the mosque was completed and commissioned 13 years ago.”
Abdul-Gafar, a former Secretary to the Kwara State Government, had during a media briefing on Sunday in Ilorin disclosed the decision of Dangote to execute the hostel project on behalf of the management committee, explaining that the proceeds of the investment would be constantly used to maintain the Ilorin Central Mosque.
Reacting to the development, MMWG, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, commended Dangote for his kind gesture and also praised the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, for chosen Abdul-Gafar as the chairman of the management committee, noting that “his holistic leadership qualities led to the huge investment coming in favour of mosque.”
The group recalled that Abdul-Gafar also announced a monthly donation of N5 million from Dangote for the mosque’s maintenance pending the completion of the hostel project at the University of Ilorin in the next one year.
It added that the Turaki of Ilorin and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Saliu Mustapha was also reported to have facilitated the installation of a gigantic solar power intervention for the mosque to reduce its cost of fuel consumption in powering electrical equipment and facilities.
Ibrahim, while expressing happiness over these giant strides, called on other wealthy Muslims to “emulate Dangote and others using their wealth and other resources for profitable venture like islamic propagation, maintenance of mosques, welfare and well-being of our Islamic scholars, sponsorship of education of the less-privileged students and welfare of the widows, among others.”
According to him, such kind gestures manifest as true belief in Almighty Allah.
He, however, regretted that islamic projects have been suffering across the Federation because of the lukewarm attitudes of some wealthy Muslims, calling on them to change for the better.
Ilorin Ultra-Modern Central Mosque is believed to be one of the best in West Africa in terms of cost and infrastructural facilities therein, including an e-library of international standard.
