By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Gombe State Governor and Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Saturday, attended the closing ceremony of the 38th National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Damaturu, Yobe State.
The programme was organised by the Musabaqah Foundation for Qur’anic Recitation in Nigeria, Centre for Islamic Studies, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto and Yobe State Government with the objective to mobilize muslim youths to learn proper recitation and memorization of the holy Quran; foster unity and peaceful coexistence amongst muslims and non muslims by inculcating in the ummah, true and practical teachings of the Quran.
A statement signed by the Director-General (Press Affairs)
Government House Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli, said that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented at the occasion by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The host Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and others who spoke at the event stressed the importance of the Quran in the lives of Muslims and the guidance it serves, which they said are the major take-aways from the just concluded competition.
Ibrahim Mohammed Nasir from Bauchi state and Zainab Aliyu Mohammed from Kano state emerged the overall winners in male and female categories and were decorated by the Sultan as ‘Gwarzo’ and ‘Gwarzuwar Shekara’ respectively. The both of them were presented with Cars, Hajj Seats and N5m cash amomg other prizes.
Gombe State contingent at the competition also put a good showing, winning top positions in different categories, including 7th position in the main category ( memorization with Tafsie and different Qira’at).
Governor Inuwa took time to visit the Gombe tent at the arena where he exchanged pleasantries with the participants and their guides, and also dolled out 3 million naira cash to them.
The Gombe Governor was accompanied by Hon. Members of Gombe State House of Assembly; Hon. Siddi Buba, Hon. Musa Buba, Hon. Musa Manaja Zambuk, Commissioners of Finance and Economic Development, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, Budget and Economic Planning, Salisu Baba Alkali; Water, Environment and Forest Resources, Mohammed Saidu Mohammed Fawu and Executive Secretary of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sa’adu Hassan.
