*to install solar energy street lights, improve security, facilitate eastern education
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State on Saturday, announced that the state government will construct the road network and drainage system linking late Sheikh Ahmad Aliyu Abulfatahi Zawiya, venue of the Annual Maulud Nabiyyi SAW.
The annual Maulud attracts Muslim faithful from all over Nigeria, as well as some African countries like Senegal, Sudan, Ghana, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Mali, Togo, Benin Republics and Central Africa who converge annually to mark Eid Maulud festival.
The Eid Maulud Nabiyyi SAW is being organized and hosted by Abulfatahi Foundation and Zawiya Development Association in collaboration with other individuals and organizations at the late Sheikh Ahmad Aliyu Abulfatahi’s residence and Central Mosque located at Old Maiduguri, Jere LGA of Borno State under the distinguished Chairmanship or leadership of his eldest son, Khaliifah Aliyu Ahmadu Abulfatahi.
Governor Zulum who last year attended the same Maulud at the venue, repeated his attendance this year’s Maulud in fulfilment of his pledge with a larger number of entourage, despite his cash and material support to the sitting and ceremony last year and this year, simultaneously.
Those in his entourage included the Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly (BOSHA), Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan,, state executive council members, State Assembly members, special advisers and assistants to the governor and his deputy, as well as other top government officials and politicians, attended the Eid Maulud special prayers at Madinatu, Zawiya of late Sheikh Ahmed Abulfatahi.
While addressing the congregation, the governor explained that his government will not hesitate to do its best to promote Quranic, Arabic and Islamic Education in the state through the establishment of higher Islamic schools across the 27 local government areas.
He also said that before next year’s Maulud, Borno State Government under his leadership, will construct road network, drainage system and solar energy street lights in the area, while urging them to continue to seek for both Eastern and Western education to eliminate illiteracy and improve level of literacy and numeracy of study facilities, assuring of his intention to participate in next year’s Maulud activity even better than this year, as a Muslim who believes in the birthday and messages of Prophet Mohammed SAW which is being celebrated.
On flood disaster in some parts of the state, Governor Zulum promised to tackle the problems head long to curtail future challenges before next year’s rainy season, while thanking the congregation and organizers of the 2022 Maulud Nabbiy SAW, the abulfatiti foundation and Zawiya Development Association for the warm reception accorded to him and his entourage, while pledging to continue to partner with the foundation, Zawiya Development Association, pupils, students, teachers, scholars friends, associates and family for the overall interest of the people of Borno.
He urged them to continue to pray for the people of the state and government for peace to return permanently and farmers to return to their farmlands, while businessmen and women should fully engage in their various trades.
In his sermon and special prayers, the Chief Host, Khalifa Aliyu Ahmadu Aliyu Abulfatahi, while commending Governor Zulum for his support and assistance to the family of late Maulana Sheikh Ahmad Aliyu Abulfatahi, Zawiya and foundation for appointing two members of the family as board chairmen of two parastatals, Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board and Borno State Reintegration and Transformation of Tsangaya Schools Committee, describing Zulum as the only and first governor in the political history of Borno state to have done such a thing to the cleric’s family.
Khalifa Abulfatahi also said that secondly, Governor Zulum directed the Khalifa to forward to his office list of 57 unemployed youth for employment and he surprisingly offered employment to all the 57 youth or people forwarded to him from the Zawiya.
“When state governors of the 19 Northern states rose from their meeting on the issue of ejecting all almajiris in every Northern state of the federation, especially the northern part of the country, Governor Zulum was the only one that out of empathy, invited me (Khalifa) to come over to advise and guide him on how these almajiris could be transformed and enrolled into school to acquire both Eastern and Western education, rather than sending them away from the streets and out of the state.”
According to him, the governor also out of love and passion for the late Maulana Sheikh Abulfatahi’s family, further appointed another family member as Special Adviser to the Governor.
Khalifah assured the governor that the Abulfatahi family, friends, pupils, students and associates are always with him and will continue to support his good intention for the people of Borno and pray for him, his family and government.
In his special prayers at the end of the Maulud sitting on Saturday morning, Khaliifah also prayed for the state and country at large as well as citizens of the state and country for peace, stability, prospects and development.
He prayed for the teachers, scholars, friends and associates of the family, pupils and students success, the governor and his family, leadership and victory in the forthcoming governorship election, friends and lovers of Fityanul Islam of Nigeria, all those who attended the Maulud and who could not make it, but had the intention to attend, as well as supporters and contributors to holding of the Maulud.
The Islamic Cleric further prayed for success of security agencies across the state and country over crime and homicide, especially, armed robbery, banditry, assassination, kidnapping and others, while also praying for the medical team and vigilante group teams for complementing the efforts of security agencies.
