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Barau to Empower 10,000 Less Privileged Persons in Kano with N200m Cash Grant

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

No fewer than 10,000 less privileged persons across Kano State are set to benefit from a N200 million empowerment programme initiated by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, yesterday, each beneficiary will receive N20,000 under the initiative being implemented by the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation (BIJF), a philanthropic arm established by the Deputy Senate President to support education, entrepreneurship, and social welfare.

The statement noted the selection process for the beneficiaries would begin on Thursday, October 9, 2025, with the distribution of application forms across the 44 local government areas of Kano State.

He explained that 6,500 persons would be selected from the Kano North Senatorial District, with each of its 13 local government areas producing 500 beneficiaries.

In addition, it added that 112 individuals will be selected from each of the local government areas in Kano Central and Kano South Senatorial Districts.

Part of the statement read: “This initiative is part of Senator Barau’s continuous efforts to directly impact the lives of the less privileged in the state.

“It complements his numerous interventions in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and transportation.”

The foundation, he noted, has over the years implemented several empowerment schemes, including a postgraduate foreign scholarship programme for indigent students from Kano State.

It added that the latest cash disbursement underscores Senator Barau’s commitment to improving living conditions and expanding opportunities for citizens, particularly women and youth.

“Empowering women and youth remain a central focus of His Excellency’s initiatives, as he believes that inclusive empowerment drives growth and development not only in the North but across Nigeria,” he stated.

The Barau I. Jibrin Foundation has become one of the leading private social intervention platforms in Northern Nigeria, with programmes designed to tackle poverty, enhance access to education, and promote community development.

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja No fewer than 10,000 less privileged persons across Kano State are set to benefit from a N200 million empowerment programme initiated by the Deputy President of

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NDLEA Smashes Cocaine Cartels Behind 6 UK-bound Shipments, Arrests Arrowhead, 5 Others

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled two major drug cartels behind six different consignments of cocaine concealed in walls of stainless cups, body cream and hair gel containers.

The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said the operation was successful as a result of series of intelligence led operations that lasted over three weeks across Lagos, and led to the arrest of five suspects and ultimately the arrowhead of the syndicate, Alhaji Hammed Ode, who parades himself as a businessman and real estate developer.

Babafemi said the beginning of the end of the criminal syndicate’s operations began on 16th September 2025 when NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilogrammes concealed in walls of cocoa butter body cream containers, which led to a prompt arrest of a cargo agent.

The spokesman said further investigations revealed Alhaji Hammed Ode as the mastermind of the shipment and after weeks of intelligence, it was established the alleged drug baron had reported a dispute at the Zone 2 headquarters of the Police in Lagos, after which the agency sought the cooperation of the police to get the suspect into custody.Babafemi said during his preliminary interrogation, Ode admitted ownership of the consignment which he claimed he bought at over N150 million.

He claimed to be a businessman and estate developer following his return from the United Kingdom in 2024, saying he had lived for over 27 years in many European countries including Austria, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Asian country, Saudi Arabia before settling in the UK.Babafemi said in like manner, five other desperate attempts by another criminal syndicate to export cocaine consignments to the United Kingdom were also thwarted by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of NDLEA.

He disclosed the unravelling of the gang started on 26th September following the seizure of 2.1 kilogrammes cocaine concealed in walls of hair cream containers at the export shed of the Lagos airport.He said the apprehension of a cargo agent led to the arrest of the consignor, Smith Korede, a furniture maker, last Tuesday at his 3 Arowojobe street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos base where another consignment of 1.4 kilogrammes cocaine meant for export to the UK was recovered from him.

He said same day, another consignment of 1 kilogramme cocaine with similar mode of concealment also going to the UK was intercepted at the export shed of the airport.The cargo agent arrested in connection with the 1 kilogramme cocaine also identified Smith Korede as the consignor, bringing to three the number of seized cocaine consignments linked to the suspect.He disclosed that two other cocaine laden consignments going to the UK were also intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the MMIA last Thursday, adding that two suspects: Ogunbiyi Taiwo and Popoola Olumuyiwa linked to the seizures were promptly arrested. He said one of the consignments contains crayfish, and 12 pieces of stainless cups used to conceal 1 kilogramme cocaine while the second consignment also contains crayfish, and 36 containers of hair cream used to conceal 1.6 kilogrammes of cocaine.Babafemi said the bid by another criminal gang to smuggle into Lagos 6.3 kilogrammes of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in bedsheet and hibiscus flower from Thailand was equally thwarted by NDLEA operatives attached to some courier companies, while a joint operation between NDLEA officers and Customs Service personnel at a check point along Danbatta-Daura road, Kano, last Thursday led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali and seizure of 290,450 pills of tramadol 250mg and pregabalin capsules.He said in Lagos, a notorious drug dealer John Igbe, operating under the nickname: SammyBless to distribute illicit drugs in Lekki and Ajah axis, was last Tuesday arrested at Admiralty Road, Lekki.He added that at the time of his arrest, 550 grammes of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, packaged in retail plastic cups, were recovered from him.

Three other suspects: Idris Lukman; Fuad Abdulsalam and Mobolaji James were nabbed same day in Mushin area of the state, with 109 kilogrammes skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup and 2 kilogrammes of nitrous oxide seized from them.At the Trade Fair Complex, Alaba area of the state, 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 caplets of expired 225mg diclofenac were recovered.He said while a total of 27,700 pills of tramadol 100mg/225mg were seized from a suspect Salisu Abubakar, 25, at Bode Saadu, Morro Local Government Area, Kwara State, last Monday, Blessing Ovaka, 50, was caught with 498.5 kilogrammes skunk at Kudandan, Chukun Local Government Area, Kaduna, same day, just as Dahiru Salisu, 27, was arrested in possession of 34,180 capsules of tramadol at Gwargwaje along Kaduna-Zaria road last Thursday.In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives last Monday raided Isheri, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, where a suspect, Abubakar Audu, was arrested with 112 kilogrammes skunk and 16 grammes of tramadol.

Three suspects: Chuimieze Shedrack, 28; Sunday John, 25, and Solomon Okopko, 27, were nabbed by NDLEA officers last Thursday at Owena/Ijesha forest reserve, Osun State where they destroyed 14,000 kilogrammes skunk on 5.6 hectares of cannabis plantation and recovered 142 kilogrammes of same psychoactive substance.In Edo, NDLEA operatives last Wednesday intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle marked KUJ 47 NW loaded with 22 bags of skunk weighing 244.5 kilogrammes at Igbanke, Orhionwon Local Government Area and a suspect Ineh Obindi, 28, arrested.A total of 10,897.35 kilogrammes skunk was destroyed on four farms measuring 4.358938 hectares at Ugbodo forest, Ovia North East Local Government Area, last Friday, with two suspects: Michael Ayang, 40, and Bernard New Year, (a.ka Don), 47, arrested, with not less than 223.5 kilogrammes processed cannabis and seeds recovered from the farms.Babafemi said operatives on patrol along Okene/Lokoja highway intercepted a waybill parcel coming from Lagos to Abuja containing 3.272 kilogrammes Loud and a sachet of Colorado.A follow up operation at Gwagwalada Park in Abuja led to the arrest of the owner, Tobi Odubote, 34, while another suspect Ismail Abdurrahim, 32, was arrested in possession of 25.5 kilogrammes skunk along Abaji- Abuja expressway last Thursday.

He said in like manner, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has promised that:

“We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel at every level of their operations; from the mules to the dealers in between and up to their leadership.“These successful operations should serve as a warning that NDLEA will not relent until the threat posed by the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is eliminated because every arrest, seizure and assets forfeited by the criminal syndicates signifies innocent lives saved and communities protected either here in Nigeria or in other jurisdictions”, He commended the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Edo, Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Kogi and FCT commands as well as their compatriots across the country for their tenacity, professionalism and balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the agency.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled two major drug cartels behind six different consignments of cocaine concealed in walls of stainless cups,

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PANDEF Urges Tinubu to Immortalise Arase, Decries Niger Delta Neglect

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immortalise the late former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase, in recognition of his “invaluable contributions to national unity and development.”

This call was part of a communiqué issued at the end of an enlarged meeting of PANDEF’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Benin City on Saturday.

The meeting, according to a communique by the group in Abuja, was presided over by the National Chairman, Ambassador (Dr.) Godknows Igali, and was attended by Edo State chapter executives led by Professor Alfred Ehigiegba, and chairmen of PANDEF from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.

In the communiqué jointly signed by Amb. Igali, Prof. Ehigiegba, and the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, PANDEF described Arase as a patriotic son of the Niger Delta whose service to the country deserved lasting honour through the naming of a major national monument after him.

The forum also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and other leaders for their roles in restoring democratic institutions in Rivers State, noting that their interventions helped preserve peace and stability in the state.

PANDEF, however, expressed deep concern over what it described as the continued infrastructure neglect of the Niger Delta, particularly the “collapse of federal roads” across the region.

The group lamented that the East-West Road remains largely uncompleted, especially the Benin–Warri section, while other major arteries such as the Benin–Auchi and Calabar–Itu roads are in deplorable condition.

The communiqué further condemned the abandonment of the Ujevwu-Itakpe railway line connecting Delta and Kogi States.

It pointed out that similar projects in other regions, like the Abuja–Kaduna railway, were promptly repaired when they broke down.

“This selective attention gives the impression that the Niger Delta does not matter in Nigeria’s infrastructural priorities,” PANDEF stated.

As part of its economic recovery agenda for the region, PANDEF called on the federal government to urgently rehabilitate and reopen all seaports in the South-South zone, including those in Calabar, Port Harcourt, Warri, Sapele, Burutu, and Koko.

The group stressed that restoring these maritime facilities would significantly boost commerce, job creation, and the per capita income of the people of the Niger Delta.

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immortalise the late former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase, in recognition

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Aliyu Tells Critics to Stop Politicising Security

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has cautioned critics and commentators against politicising security matters, stressing that such actions undermined efforts to restore peace and stability in the state.

The governor issued this warning during a condolence visit to communities affected by recent bandit attacks in Silame Local Government Area.

“Security issues are very sensitive and fragile, and therefore must be handled with utmost care,” Aliyu stated.

He added that the government would no longer condone a situation where individuals hide under the guise of criticism or public commentary to undermine efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace in the state.

The governor reaffirmed that both the state government and security agencies were working tirelessly to strengthen security, noting that these efforts were gradually yielding positive results.

He also expressed concern over the activities of some rural residents, who served as informants to bandits, thereby aiding insecurity in their communities.

To address this issue, Aliyu revealed that a bill would soon be presented before the state assembly to prescribe stiff penalties for anyone found guilty of aiding banditry.

He, therefore, called on all citizens to support the government’s security initiatives by providing credible information to law enforcement agencies, emphasising that the fight against insecurity is a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of everyone.

Aliyu further disclosed that his administration has provided necessary logistics and support to security agencies to enhance their operations, assuring that the government will not relent in sustaining such support.

During the visit to Silame Local Government, families of the thirty-three victims killed in the recent bandit attack received ₦2 million and five bags of rice each. In total, ₦66 million and 165 bags of rice were distributed to affected families in the area.

Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has cautioned critics and commentators against politicising security matters, stressing that such actions undermined efforts to restore peace and stability in the state. The

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Tinubu Felicitates Ex-CDS, General Lucky Irabo At 60

.Describes him as a true war commander and courageous defender

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has rejoiced with retired army officer and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Eluonye Irabor, as he clocked 60 on October 5, 2025.

General Irabor, who held the position of CDS, the highest-ranking military position in Nigeria, during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, hails from Ika South Local Government in Delta State.

The President, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlighted Irabor’s patriotic service to the country and leadership within the military.

President Tinubu described General Irabor as a true war commander and defender.

“He was courageous. General Irabor remains one of the most remarkable soldiers this country has ever produced,” the President remarked.

President Tinubu commended Irabor for his book on Boko Haram, which was launched last Friday in Abuja saying it would help the country understand the Boko Haram menace and deal with it and other similar security challenges.

General Irabor said during the book launch that the publication was for soul-searching and not an indictment of anyone.

President Tinubu wished Irabor many years of good health and invaluable services to the nation.

.Describes him as a true war commander and courageous defender Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has rejoiced with retired army officer and former Chief of Defence Staff, General

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First Lady: We Must Confront Shortage of Teachers By Investing In Growth of Educators

.Describes teachers as true heroes, shaping minds and guiding generations

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has canvassed the need for all stakeholders in the education sector to confront the issue of shortage of teachers by investing in the growth of educators.

The First Lady, in a message issued on Sunday to commemorate this year’s World Teachers’ Day, described teachers as true heroes, shaping minds and guiding generations.

Mrs Tinubu, in the five-paragraph message stated, inter alia: “On this World Teachers’ Day 2025, with the theme “Focusing on the Global Teacher Shortage”, calls for the need to draw more attention to one of Society’s nobless professions.

“The shortage of teachers is a challenge we must confront with urgency, by empowering educators, investing in their growth, and inspiring more to join this noble profession.

“Teachers are true heroes, shaping minds, nurturing dreams, and guiding generations.

“As a lifelong teacher myself, I salute you all on this Special Day.

“Happy World Teachers Day 2025.”

.Describes teachers as true heroes, shaping minds and guiding generations Deji Elumoye in Abuja Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has canvassed the need for all stakeholders in the

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Super Eagles Camp Open in South Africa for Lesotho Clash

*Injuries, several yellow cards amongst Chelle’s worries

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Super Eagles will open camp in South Africa today ahead of Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho inside the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

With all the invited 23 players expected to fly straight from their respective bases into South Africa, Head Coach, Eric Chelle, and his backroom staff must be excited by the good shows put up by top Super Eagles for their clubs in weekend fixtures before the international window.

Apart from Victor Osimhen who has been consistent since coming back from injury sideline, new invitee, Akor Adams also got on the scorers’ sheet, helping Sevilla to end Barcelona’s 15-game unbeaten run with a 4-1 victory. Adams netted the fourth goal for Sevilla in the 98th minute after receiving a brilliant assist from another Nigerian international Chidera Ejuke.

Osimhen had in midweek UEFA Champions League clash scored a 16th minute penalty that proved to lone winning goal against Liverpool.

However, the fears over Eagles defence heightened with injuries to key invited players. With Bright Osayi-Samuel out, another invited Werder Bremen defender, Felix Agu, was forced out of Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against St.Pauli due to injury. He remains a major doubt for Friday’s game with Lesotho as he’s scheduled to undergo a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan today to assess the injury to his ankle.

Wilfred Ndidi who is just working his way back to the team after injury layoff, on Saturday committed the catastrophic mistake that led to Galatasaray’s equaliser in the Istanbul Derby against Osimhen’s Galatasaray at Rams Park.

Therefore, as the camp in Polokwane opens, while Chelle will be happy with his sharp forward line, he will probably be filled with trepidation on what to make of his backline depleted by injuries and yellow cards. A second yellow cards will rule them out of the final group qualifier against Benin Republic next week in Uyo.

Those having one yellow cards ahead of the Lesotho clash include Semi Ajayi – booked vs Lesotho (16 Nov 2023); Calvin Bassey – booked vs Zimbabwe (19 Nov 2023); Jamilu Collins – booked vs Zimbabwe (19 Nov 2023); Umar Sadiq – booked vs Zimbabwe (19 Nov 2023);Bright Osayi-Samuel – booked vs South Africa (7 Jun 2024); Sodiq Ismaila – booked vs Benin (10 Jun 2024); Wilfred Ndidi – booked vs Rwanda (21 Mar 2025); Alex Iwobi – booked vs Rwanda (21 Mar 2025); Tolu Arokodare – booked vs Rwanda (21 Mar 2025); Stanley Nwabali – booked vs Rwanda (6 Sept 2025); Ademola Lookman – booked vs South Africa (9 Sept 2025); and Bruno Onyemaechi – booked vs South Africa (9 Sept 2025).

*Injuries, several yellow cards amongst Chelle’s worries Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles will open camp in South Africa today ahead of Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho inside the Peter

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AFN President Okowa Reiterates Commitment to Podium Finish at 2026 Commonwealth Games

The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s elite athletes achieve podium finishes at next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Chief Okowa made this known shortly after a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja at the weekend where preparations and lessons from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, were extensively reviewed.

According to him, the AFN, in collaboration with its sponsors and with continued support from the National Sports Commission (NSC), will provide athletes with the necessary backing in terms of training, welfare, logistics, and other essential needs.

“We commend our athletes for giving Nigeria a positive image in Tokyo,” Okowa said. “The country reached four finals — the men’s 100m, women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 400m hurdles (where a national record was set), men’s 200m, and the men’s shot put — and capped it all with a silver medal. For us in the AFN, it was a huge achievement.”

Okowa emphasized that efforts are underway to fulfill promises made to the athletes ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games. He noted that with the right support, the abilities of Nigerian athletes are never in doubt and urged them to remain patient as the Federation finalizes key arrangements.

He added that the Federation is determined to perform even better, particularly with the current form of top athletes such as Tobi Amusan, Udodi Onwuzurike, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Sunday Israel Okon, and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi.

Okowa also disclosed that the AFN will move swiftly to address lingering issues concerning athletes’ visas and kits by engaging reputable stakeholders and sportswear manufacturers.

He explained that the existing partnership with Hi-Racer was only a temporary assistance for the Tokyo Championships.

The AFN President further appealed to the media to continue projecting Nigeria’s athletes in a positive light, stating that such encouragement would motivate them to excel on the global stage.

He concluded by expressing appreciation to the AFN board members, sponsors, the media, and other stakeholders for their unwavering support toward the development of athletics in Nigeria.

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Investors Gain N1.18trn WoW as Stock Market Sustains Positive Momentum

Kayode Tokede

The Nigerian stock market sustained its positive streak for the fourth consecutive week, gaining N1.18 trillion, underpinned by broad-based sectoral gains.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) gained 1.02 per cent week-on-week (WoW) to close at 143,584.04 basis points, buoyed by renewed investor appetite for fundamentally strong stocks.

Market capitalisation appreciated by 1.31 per cent or N1.18 trillion WoW to close the week at N91.135 trillion, driven in part by the listing of 14.14 billion ordinary shares of Wema Bank Plc on September 30, 2025.

Market breadth closed strong, with 53 gainers against 43 decliners. Eterna led the gainers table by 32.80 per cent to close at N37.05, per share. Nigerian Enamelware followed with a gain of 20.94 per cent to close at N42.45, while PZ Cussons Nigeria went up by 20.87 per cent to close to N41.70, per share.

On the other side, Julius Berger Nigeria led the decliners table by 17.79 per cent to close at N122.90, per share. International Energy Insurance followed with a loss of 11.08 per cent to close at N2.97, while Union Dicon Salt declined by 10 per cent to close at N8.10, per share.

Overall, a total turnover of 8.403 billion shares worth N115.501 billion in 115,801 deals was traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 7.684 billion shares valued at N494.126 billion that exchanged hands prior week in 116,645 deals.

On market’s performance this week, Cowry Asset Management Limited said, “we expect the Nigerian equities market to maintain its bullish momentum in the near term, driven by sustained investor appetite for fundamentally strong stocks and portfolio rebalancing ahead of Q3 2025 reporting and earnings season.

“Although intermittent profit-taking and fewer block trades could result in mixed activity, the robust year-to-date performance, broad-based sectoral gains, and rising retail participation continue to underpin market stability. Meanwhile, we continue to advise investors to position in stocks with strong fundamentals and earning power.”

Imperial Assets stated that, “this week, at the equity market, we expect activities to remain mixed, largely dictated by bargain hunting acts ahead of Q3 2025 earnings releases. Meanwhile, tendency for profit taking acts to come up looms high, amid the recorded six trading days consecutive winning performance.”

Analysts at Afrinvest Limited noted that, ‘looking ahead, we anticipate the bourse sustaining its positive momentum as investors digest earnings results and rotate into stocks trading at compelling valuations.’

Kayode Tokede The Nigerian stock market sustained its positive streak for the fourth consecutive week, gaining N1.18 trillion, underpinned by broad-based sectoral gains. The Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) gained 1.02 per cent week-on-week (WoW) to close at 143,584.04 basis points,

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2027: Muslim Scholars, Clerics, Traditional Rulers Converge on Kwara to Reposition Mosques, Imams for Nation’s Leadership

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Ahead of 2027, renowned scholars, imams, traditional rulers, students and Muslims from different parts of the country have called for a unified Friday sermon across central mosques.

This, they believe, when properly utilised, mosques could once again produce pious leaders and scholars as they did in the early history of Islam.

The scholars, Imams and other Muslim leaders stated this at a one-day second annual Imam’s Conference held in Ajase Ipo, Irepodun local government area of Kwara state over the weekend with the theme; “The Mosque, the Imam and Da’wah, organised by Daarus-Sa’aadah Islamic Centre.

In his lecture on “The Role of the Mosque in Building the Ideal Muslim”, renowned Islamic scholar, Ustadh Dhikrullahi Shafii, said that the mosque is not limited to being a place of prayer.

According to him, Masjid is historically a centre for decision-making, social welfare, refuge, including treatment of the sick.

He said that the three aspects of the theme had been largely neglected in contemporary Muslim communities, with negative consequences for the Ummah.

He described the Imam as the principal of the mosque whose role goes beyond delivering stories.

“Rather, it requires deep grounding in Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh and global issues”, Shafii who is the Grand Mufti of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said.

He emphasised that no single individual could master all branches of Islamic jurisprudence and, thus, advised Imams and scholars to specialise in particular fields while working together for the benefit of the community.

The mosque, he noted, must be repositioned to serve the Ummah fully, including the creation of committees to address the needs of children, women, the aged, marriage, naming ceremonies and conflict resolution.

He said when properly utilised, mosques could once again produce pious leaders and scholars as they did in the early history of Islam.

Shafii also recommended that the conference should be extended to two or three days in order to deepen its impact, with a communiqué issued and adopted by mosques across the state for implementation.

In his presentation on “Da’wah without Bitterness: Etiquette of Disagreement in Islam”, Dr. Sirajudeen Bila Al-Asra, underscored the importance of tolerance and humility in preaching.

He urged scholars and preachers to embody patience and wisdom in resolving disputes, stressing that Islam does not condone bitterness or arrogance in its propagation.

The Chief Imam of Ajase-Ipo, Shaykh Aliyu Taofeeq Atoloye, who chaired the occasion, said the programme had continued to impact positively on the intellectual and spiritual growth of Imams and scholars.

He described this year’s theme as timely and noted that participants benefited from the exchange of ideas on how mosques could be harnessed for more than just daily and weekly prayers.

He added that the conference provided an opportunity for networking among Islamic scholars across the country.

The monarch called for extension of the programme to three days in order to maximise its benefits, and described it as a blessed exercise that would leave a lasting impact on both scholars and their followers.

Founder and sponsor of the programme, Alhaja Rahmat Mojisola Salih, a Lagos-based businesswoman, recalled how her journey into philanthropy was inspired by her grandmother, who taught her the value of dedicating part of her daily earnings to the service of the mosque.

She narrated how, as a child, she spent a portion of her profit from hawking bread and other items to buy items for cleaning the mosque.

According to her, that early training shaped her conviction to dedicate her wealth to the promotion of Islam and the welfare of society.

She urged other wealthy individuals to emulate the gesture towards promoting Islam.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in his goodwill message, described the event as highly educative.

He appreciated the organisers for championing a noble cause aimed at equipping Imams and scholars with deeper religious knowledge for the advancement of Islam.

Ahead of 2027, renowned scholars, imams, traditional rulers, students and Muslims from different parts of the country have called for a unified Friday sermon across central mosques. This, they believe,

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