Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has introduced monthly allowances for Imams, their deputies, and Mu’azzins across the state, alongside new allocations for Jumu’at Mosques.
Aliyu made the announcement on Saturday during the graduation ceremony of 111 Qur’an memorisers from the Sokoto branch of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation. He said the initiative is part of his administration’s efforts to promote Islamic propagation, strengthen Qur’anic memorisation among children, and support clerics in discharging their duties effectively.
“We have also introduced monthly cash allocations to all our Jumu’at Mosques, ranging from N300,000 to N500,000 depending on their category. In addition, monthly allowances have been introduced for Imams, their deputies, and Mu’azzins across the state to support them in the discharge of their duties,” the governor stated.
He emphasized that Islamic affairs occupy a central place in his administration’s “Nine-point Smart Agenda,” ranking second only to security. Aliyu also directed the school management to identify land for a permanent site, pledging full government support for its establishment.
At the ceremony, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, commended Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi for founding the institution and praised scholars for promoting Islamic ideals and peaceful coexistence in the state.
Former Governor Aliyu Wamakko, represented by Aminu Sufi, urged parents to encourage their children to embrace Qur’anic memorisation, while Senator Abdulaziz Yari, represented by Lawal Liman, pledged continuous support to the foundation and announced a donation of N22 million and food items for the graduands and the school.
Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, represented by his son Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, explained that the foundation’s expansion to other states is aimed at providing structured Qur’anic education for children and reducing street begging.
During the event, each of the 111 graduands received N20,000 and clothing materials from the state government. The ceremony concluded with Qur’anic recitations and prize presentations.