The Kabba Muslim Community in Kogi, has concluded plans to build a 5,000 seater capacity ultra-modern Central Masjid worth about One billion naira.
The Chairman, Kabba Muslim Community, Alhaji Kabir Fadile stated this while speaking at the Foundation laying ceremony of the central Mosque on Sunday in Kabba.
Fadile said the aim of building the mosque was to have a centre where the Muslim faithful could improve on their intellectual benefits and expand their knowledge on Islam.
“The environment here is mainly dominated by Christians. So, the few Muslims here developed an intention of having this spiritual centre for the purpose of improving our religion.
“As we all know that Islam is a way of life and the Muslim community in this area should be able to expand their knowledge.
“By the time we lay the foundation, we are targeting about 5000 seater capacity centre for worshippers at a stretch for any festival.
“I will like to call on all and sundry to be partakers in the accomplishment of this gigantic project which the estimate for completion is put in the sum of One billion naira.
“I urge each and everyone of us to use our contacts, both within and without, to attract contributions towards the completion of the project,” he said.
Fadile commended the Obaro of Kabba, His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, for his support to the Muslim community in the area since his ascension to the throne.
According to him, the paramount ruler has given the desired support to the Muslim faithful and taken steps that had ensured inter-religious harmony in his domain.
In his remarks, the Obaro of Kabba commended the Muslim Community for the initiative, saying his prayer was to see development in all areas of his domain.
Owoniyi, who doubles as the Chairman Okun Area Traditional Council, prayed that the mosque would be completed in his time.
The royal father urged the people to encourage their children to go to school and become educated in order to be great in life.
The paramount ruler stressed the need to continually prayed for the development of Owe Kabba and the entire Okunland as a whole.
The foundation laying of the new ultra-modern mosque was performed by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Bashir Imam-Solihu.
The chief Imam congratulated Kabba Muslim community for the initiative and the progress made so far, saying, “building the mosque is a work of God, and Allah will reward the partakers”.
He commended the Obaro of Kabba for gracing the occasion and for being the father of all, saying he truly deserved the position.
The referred Islamic cleric urged the Muslim faithful to contribute generously towards the project, and offered prayers for the community and its successful completion for the benefit of all.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Alh. Suleiman Ejibunu, commended the Muslim faithful for their turnout in numbers for the occasion, and urged them to contribute generously towards the success of the central mosque.
The highlights of the occasion was the Quranic recitation, lecture and donations towards the building of the central mosque.
Other dignitaries at the occasion include: the Baba Adini of Okunland, Alh. Babatunde Ajidahun; Chief Imam of Kabba, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar; the Chairperson of the occasion, Hajia Aishat Alimi; Mother of the Day: Hajia Funmilayo Sadiq; and Brig. Gen. Bode Ojuoloruntaiye
Others were: Chief Hassan Ejibunu, Alh. Zachary Ejibunu, Alh. Shuaib Ejibunu, Prof. Azeez Ejibunu; Barr. Mohammed Hadi Yusuf, leaders of Housa, Fulani and Ebira communities in Okunland, among others.
