An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Suleiman Shehu Borno has commended the Governorship Candidate of Young Progressive Party (YPP) in Kwara State, Alhaji Waziri Yakubu Gobir for donating a sum of N250 million to the ongoing remodeling of the ancient Imam Gambari Mosque, Ilorin, Kwara State.
The renowned cleric who spoke during his sermon at the prayer session and official handover ceremony of Imam Gambari Mosque project, thanked Alhaji Gobir for what he has always been doing for the citizens of the State and Muslim community in particular.
Sheikh Borno, described the gesture as service to God and humanity, adding that the philanthropist stood good stead to benefit Allah’s reward for bankrolling completion of the reconstruction project of the ancient mosque.
He admonished that people should always spend in the way of Allah, saying that they stand to gain a lot here on earth and thereafter, even as he urged Muslims to imbibe the spirit of charity.
Muslim faithful who also spoke with Daily Links urged well-meaning Muslims to also contribute anything they can to see to the prompt face lifting of the mosque.
According to them, such gesture has never happened in the history of the Mosque, which they said it came at a very crucial time.
“The contributions of Alhaji Yakubu Gobir in the development of Islam in Kwara and Nigeria is sadaqatul jariyah that will earn him lofty heights in Paradise.
“Alhaji Gobir has practically demonstrated his magnanimity, and commended initiative of faithful who saw the need for a befitting Mosque to enable the Muslim community, both men and women in Ilorin undertake Friday congregational prayer in the Mosque which is just a stone-throw from their various locations.
“Wealthy Muslims should emulate Alhaji Gobir in uplifting Islam and easing difficulties faced by the Muslim ummah in worshipping their creator”, the said.
Speaking at the handover ceremony for the reconstruction of the over 200 years old mosque in llorin on Wednesday, the philanthropist and social entrepreneur, Waziri Yakubu Gobir, said that he singlehandedly embarked on completion of the reconstruction because of his love for community service and progress of the Ilorin emirate.
It will be recalled that some indigenes of the Ilorin emirate had at one time and the other contributed finances, totalling about N30 million, towards the reconstruction project of the ancient mosque, that was being supervised by a committee.
Gobir, who is the Madawaki of Ilorin said that the reconstruction of the mosque would give it befitting architectural and structural modifications that would reflect its historical status.
“The mosque was first erected in the 17th Century and for more than 200 years now, it has been a centre for Quranic Tafsir during Ramadan. Eid-Prayers have been taking place in the mosque for more than 200 years. The great scholar, Sheu Alimi, used to attend Jummat prayer and Tafsir in the mosque”.
“The land on which mosque was built, historically, was donated by the Gobir family in the 17 century.
“The love for his family, Ilorin community and Kwara state as a whole made me continue to show concern for the happiness and welfare of others and take steps to touch people’s lives”, he added.
Gobir said further that he is not the wealthiest person in the state, adding that his intention was borne out of sustaining historical importance of the mosque, Gobir family, Islamic propagation and Ilorin Emirate.
Some of the dignitaries at the event included Chief Imam of Ilorin; Sheikh Bashir Mohammad Soliu, Imam Imale of Ilorin, Ajanasi Agba; Sheikh Mustapha, Hon. Justice Idris Haroon, Professor Yusuf Lanre Badmus, members of Gambari Council of Ulamau and Imams, among others.
