Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and President, Dangote Group of Companies Alhaji Aliko Dangote led three other bigwigs to receive Merit Award from an Islamic group, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) in Lagos. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports
•Group honours Sultan, Dangote, others
None of them, except the family of the late Secretary-General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Abdullateef Adegbite had a hint about the award. The letters sent to them merely invited them to Lagos for a ceremony by the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), working for the revival of Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat is the payment of a certain percentage of income at the end of each year to promote Islamic courses.
On January 11, the foundation honoured Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; former Kano State Governor Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; President, Dangote Group of Companies Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chairman, Jaiz Bank Plc Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab. The late Adegbite got a post-humous award.
Sultan Abubakar was honoured for his efforts to unite Muslims in the country; ensuring peaceful co-existence with faiths and persistent calls for institutionalisation of Zakat.
Mallam Shekarau’s presence at the foundation’s function in Lagos then as Kano State governor and assistance with huge funds to build the Zakat House earned him the award.
Aside paying Zakat, Alhaji Abdul Mutallab signed the foundation’s letter to wealthy Muslims to channel their Zakat through the foundation, which yielded positive responses. He facilitated the meeting between ZSF and former Finance Minister when Islamic Development Bank (IDB) demanded a correspondence from the ministry before sponsoring Zakat training programme in Lagos.
Alhaji Dangote supported the foundation in a big way while the late Adegbite was said to be exemplary in all ways. Shortly before his death, he talked to people on behalf of the foundation to people to pay their Zakat.
The Ninth Zakat Distribution Ceremony was held at the New Great Hall of the College Of Medicine, University Of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Mushin, Lagos.
It began with the historic opening of the Baytul Zakat (Zakat House) by Sultan Abubakar at Olajide Street near the popular Babalola Bus Stop in Ilasamaja in Mushin.
He cut the tape assisted by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; Alhaji Abdul Mutallab; Chief Imam of Lagos Alhaji Garuba Akinola Ibrahim; Baba Adinni of Lagos Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou; ZSF Chairman, Prince Sulayman Olagunju and its Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer Imam Abdullahi Shuaib.
Sultan Abubakar also unveiled the plaque before leading the guests to LUTH for the main ceremony.
On learning that Sultan Abubakar and the Emir of Ilorin were around, the residents trooped out to catch a glimpse of them.
Others lined up from Ishaga Close Bus Stop to LUTH gate as a mark of honour for the Sultan.
Shortly after the ceremony started with opening prayer by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Ibrahim, a large entourage of Hausa community led by the Serikin Hausawa of Lagos and that of Idi-Araba stormed the hall. Muslim clerics in Mushin led by the Chief Imam of Mushinland and President, Council of Ulamau and Mushin Muslim Community, Sheikh Sulaimon Olanijo were also in attendance.
Alhaji Abdul Mutallab described the day as special”in our history with the official opening of our Zakat House whose construction began in 2009 during Dr Adegbite’s reign”.
Alhaji Mutallab, who chaired the occasion, singled out Mallam Shekarau for his “handsome” donation towards the project.
He appealed to wealthy Muslims to pay their Zakat as at when due and also channel their Sadaqah (charity) to ZSF for an efficient and effective disbursement to the poor and the needy.
There were lectures by the National Missioner of Al-Fatiu Quareeb Society of Nigeria Sheikh Sulaiman Adangba and Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) Prof Daud Noibi.
Shuaib thanked the Sultan for his fatherly support over the years.
“His concern, thoughtfulness and advice have always been inspiring and motivating. We appreciate your selfless service and servant-leadership style you have adopted since your assumption of office as the seventh Sultan,” Imam Shuaib said.
He also acknowledged the support of the late Dr Adegbite, who he said had passion for Zakat collection and distribution during his life time.
“We shall always be grateful to him for his candour and erudition. May Allah grant him peace of the grave and easy entry into Paradise,” he said.
Imam Shuaib described the awardees as “five outstanding Nigerians,” whose contributions and services to humanity are appreciable.
“Our appreciation equally goes to all our invited guests, starting with Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN); Dr Muiz Banire, the Interim National Legal Adviser to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olatunde Babatunde Adepitan, the Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, the president and members of the CMUL/LUTH Muslim community,” he said.
There were goodwill messages from NSCIA Secretary-General Prof Ishaq Oloyede; Adepitan, Emir of Ilorin, United Kingdom-based Imam Dr Khalid Yasir, Political Officer in the United States Consulate in Nigeria Kathrina Drayton and Dr Halimat Alimi of An Nour Eye Centre.
An elated Sultan Abubakar enjoined Nigerians to pray fervently for the country.
“We need prayers for our leaders to lead us right; we need good leadership in this country that can take us to the promise land,” he said.
He called on those in government to complement the foundation’s effort to reduce poverty in the society. ‘’People should be encouraged to pay Zakat,’’ he said, adding that the body will speak with the government to institutionalise Zakat and pass it into law.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari praised the foundation for reviving the third pillar of Islam – Zakat.
He corroborated Sultan Abubakar’s call for prayer.
Prayers, he said, would go a long way to stem the rot in the society.
Alhaji Akinola described prayers as tools to drive away evil.
There were symbolic distribution of cheques and materials worth N90 million before the presentation of the awards.
Guests stretched their necks to watch as big plaques were presented to the awardees while Sultan Abubakar got a giant frame, customised in his name.
Prince Olagunju thanked the guests for coming, while the Grand Mufti, Sharia Panel of the foundation, Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I said the closing prayer.
