By Mumini Abdulkareem
In its bid to revive the age-long tradition of construction of
improvised praying grounds by children in Ilorin, the Emir of Ilorin,
Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has directed the Emirate Youth to
scout for the best of such project for compensation.
The National President, Ilorin Emirate Integrity Youth Vanguard
(IEIYV), Mallam Alaboro AbdulSalam Sheriff confirmed this on Sunday
during the Annual Lailatul Qadir and Award Night/Prize Giving to Best
Mould Mosque Among Teenage of Ilorin and its Environs held at the
group secretariat, Ita-Ogunbo area, Ilorin on Sunday.
Speaking during the programme, Sheriff noted that the Emir is
particularly interested in reviving the concept which has served as a
rallying point for children in Ilorin to learn the traits of religious
sacrifice and community development especially during the period of
Ramadan.
According to him, “The programme was under the auspices of the Emir of
Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari who directed us to scout the
community and recognise the contribution of the youth to the
social-religious development of the state through the concept.
“The Emir said he discovered that the tradition of construction of
improvised prayer grounds by the children with local materials is
gradually fading during Ramadan.
“He (Emir) described it as a long time religious heritage that was
passed on by forefathers and inherited by the children. This is the
maiden edition It is among what add value and pride to the Ilorin
community. He said he would be happy if we can give move to revive it
by introducing prizes to encourage them”.
He said IEIYV is a conglomerate of all bonafide sons and daughters of
Ilorin emirate that are concerned with the growth and development of
the community engage with various programmes to uplift the community.
Also speaking during the event, the secretary of the committee that
selected the prize winners, Mallam Jimoh Abdulwaheed Oloje said the
committee chaired by Sheikh Imam AbdulRahman Imam Basheer, was
painstaking and diligent in arriving at the choices of those selected,
a position that was corroborated by its Public Relation Officer,
Sheikh AbdulRahman Al-IIory.
In his remarks on behalf of the winners, one of the pupils picked for
the first position, Muhammed AbdulMujib from Koroagba Aladie area,
Ita-Ogunbo, said “they embarked on the programme two weeks to the
commencement of the Ramadan fast and scouted for relics of dilapidated
mud houses to build the mosque, adding that they contributed money
among themselves to source for carbide at Apalara to produce the paint
used.
He called on the youth to sustain the tradition and rich Islamic
heritage of the Ilorin community which is a legacy from past
generation.
Some of the gift items include 50 litres container for ablution water,
50 dozens of ablution kettles, prayer mats, mats, tesbiy, Qur’an and
public address system, among others.
