By Sam Kayode
Governor Babagana Zulum has described the on going national koranic recitation ceremony going on in Maiduguri as a symbol of unity for Muslims in the country.
The Governor commended the organizers “Musabaqah foundation” for hosting such an important program in Borno at this critical period of the history of the state adding that it will further unite the people.
He noted that the exercise last hosted in Borno in 1986 and coming back now is indeed of special significance to “Yerwa” land which has been a centre of Islamic excellence for over 1000 years and still counting.
Eng Zulum commended his colleagues the Governors of Gombe Kebbi and Yobe states respectively for showing special interest in the recitation competition which has become a sound breeding ground for instilling discipline and leadership among young people in the country.
The Governor prayed that the competition would become a source of blessing for the region even as he pledged the sum of N120m on behalf of all his colleagues in the north east zone of Nigeria.
In his remarks Governor of Gombe Inua Yahaya regretted that islam was under threat in the region and a lot has to be done to reverse the damnation posed by these enemies by way of terrorism or in whatever name they come.
The Governor who is the chair of the northern governors forum called on muslims in the north to work hard and erase the negative image associated with their religion adding that such a damping image was of no special interest to the people.
Key note speaker, Prof Ibrahim Umara, of the political science department of university of Maiduguri (unimaid) traced the ancestry of the Kanuri people and their walk with islam over the centuries adding that kanuri are ancestors of the famous Nubia civilization before Bernin Kebbi, kukawa then Maiduguri.
The scholar averred that it was Kanem Borno empire that actually converted the Hausa people to Islam having contacted islam 1400 years ago and still counting.
Vc Usman Dan Fodio University, Prof Bashir Garba in his remarks called for more support to the centre for Islamic studies in his university so that the sponsorship of the competition can continue.
Shehu of Borno also appreciated Governor Zulum for hosting the event which was held last in 1986.
He remarked that discipline is one virtue which the competition is trying to achieve which is why the competition is commendable.
He equally posited that unity will also be achieved in the process of competition among the young folks coming up to become leaders of tomorrow.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Tijani Bukar who is also chair of the local organizing committee (LOC) however prayed that God will soon grant absolute peace to the state adding that the entire program will be successful as expected.
The 40th anniversary of the national Koranic recitation which started in 1985 is being hosted at the Indimi hall unimaid and will last for ten days and ends on Saturday for the grand finale.
Also present at the occasion was a representative of Governor of Yobe Mai Mala Buni, Dr Mohammed Bakura, Barrister Jamal Akintunde, Prof Adam Mustapha, traditional rulers and chief imams from across the region and many others from the university community.
