VP Sambo lauds Dahiru Bauchi, others on Islamic Centre establishment

Abuja (Office of the Vice President Report) – The Vice President of Nigeria, Mohammed Namadi Sambo has commended the renowned Islamic scholar, Dahiru Usman Bauchi (Sheikh), the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad and other Muslim faithful for the launch of the appeal fund for the construction of an international Islamic Centre in Abuja.

The Vice President made this commendation lately at the International Conference Centre, Abuja during the launch of the N1.9 billion appeal fund for the construction of an International Islamic Centre  to reffered to as the “Sheikh Tahir Usman Bauchi Institute for Islamic and Science Education.” He also said that the establishment of the Islamic Resource Centre in the nation’s capital has greatly underscored the enviable position of education and learning in Islam. He added that it demonstrates the unwavering commitment towards ensuring the institution of the legacy for a robust and continued propagation of Islamic morals and civilization.

Mohammed Namadi Sambo described knowledge as prerequisite for the creation of a just world in which peace would thrive, adding that the Islamic Centre could not have come at a better time than now with the increasing popularity of such centres in the propagation of Islam, promotion of peace and understanding as well as engagement in Da’awah activities which offer assistance to the needy and pursues knowledge and scholarship.

He further inferred that the Federal Government has placed high premium on education and learning as it has widened the horizon of education by evolving the Almajirai Model of education into the mainstream of the western educational system in the country. ‘The Government, he noted has vigorously pursued this through the establishment of more than 125 Almajirai Model Schools across the country and equipping them with state-of-the-art learning and teaching facilities to fast-track the acquisition of both Islamic and Western education under the same roof.’

According to him, the security challenges faced by the country, particularly in the North-Eastern part is an unfortunate situation which is alien to Islam and its tenets.  He called on the insurgents to embrace peace as a true reflection of their Islamic faith.

While speaking earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto and the Chairman of the occasion, Sa’ad Abubakar III reiterated the importance of education in Islam and called on Muslims to be their brothers’ keepers by living in peace with one another, including non-Muslims. The Sultan also called for unity within the Muslim Ummah and commended the initiators of the project.

In his remarks at the event, Dahiru Usman Bauchii (Sheikh), who is the proprietor of the Foundation, said that education is the most important aspect of Islam; indicating that investment in education is a worthy cause. He called for prayers for national peace and prosperity and urged all Muslim faithful to continue to pray for peace and prosperity in the nation at individual events and gatherings. He explained that the Dahiru Usman Bauchi Islamic Foundation was established in 2007 to promote spiritual development, develop the capacity of the youth, improve the quality of life of people through social services and promote communal harmony. Adding, it has several Islamic centres and schools spread across the federation and running various economic empowerment programmes.

The event was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; the Governor of Kaduna State, Ramalan Yero and the Zamfara State Governor, Abdulazeel Yari, amongst others. The highpoint of the event was the prayer for peace and prosperity of the nation led by Dahiru Usman Bauchi (Sheikh).