By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A philanthropist and social entrepreneur, Waziri Yakub Gobir, has donated a whopping N250m towards the completion of the ongoing reconstruction work on the ancient Imam Gambari Mosque in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
It was gathered that the Mosque, which is now undergoing befitting architectural and structural modifications to reflect its historical status, was erected in the 17th Century and had for over 200 years been a centre for Quranic Tafsir during Ramadan.
Speaking on Wednesday in Ilorin at the handing over of the over 200 years old Mosque to him for completion of ongoing reconstruction work, Gobir, who is the Kwara state governorship candidate of the Young Peoples Party (YPP) in the 2023 general elections, said that he singlehandedly embarked on completion of the reconstruction work of the Mosque because of his love for community service and progress of the Ilorin Emirate.
It would be recalled that some indigenes of the Ilorin Emirate had earlier contributed finances, totalling about N30m towards the reconstruction project of the mosque that is being supervised by a committee.
Gobir, who noted that the reconstruction of the Mosque would give it a befitting architectural and structural outlook, opined that he is not the wealthiest person in the state, adding that his decision was borne out of his determination to sustain the historical importance of the Mosque, Gobir family, Islamic propagation, as well as the Ilorin Emirate.
In his sermon at the occasion, a leading Islamic Scholar in the state, Sheikh Sulaiman Sheu Borno, described Gobir’s gesture as a great service to Allah and humanity, adding that the philanthropist stands in good stead to benefit Allah’s reward for bankrolling the completion of the reconstruction work of the ancient Mosque.
The cleric also admonished that people should always spend in the way of Allah, saying that they stand to gain a lot here on earth and thereafter by doing so.
Some of the dignitaries at the event included Chief Imam of Ilorin; Sheikh Bashir Mohammad Soliu, Imam Imale of Ilorin, Ajanasi Agba; Sheikh Mustapha, Hon. Justice Idris Haroon, Professor Yusuf Lanre Badmus, members of Gambari Council of Ulamau and Imams, among others.
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