The Sokoto State Government has approved monthly allowances for Imams, their deputies, and Mu’azzins across the state, along with fresh allocations to Jumu’at Mosques.
In a statement on Saturday by the Director-General of Media and Publicity at the Government House, Abubakar Bawa, the initiative was described as part of efforts to strengthen Islamic propagation and promote Qur’anic memorisation among children.
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu announced the measures during the graduation ceremony of 111 Qur’an memorisers from the Sokoto branch of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation.
Governor Aliyu explained that the allowances and mosque allocations were aimed at supporting clerics to effectively discharge their duties while ensuring that Islamic teachings continue to flourish in the state.
“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,” he said.
The governor noted that Islamic affairs remain central to his administration’s “Nine-point Smart Agenda,” ranking second only to security.
“Encouraging Qur’anic memorisation among our children will help raise a generation that upholds the good teachings of Islam in line with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” Aliyu added.
He also directed the school management to identify land for the establishment of a permanent site, assuring that the state government would provide the necessary support.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, praised Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi for establishing the Foundation and lauded scholars in the state for promoting Islamic ideals and peaceful coexistence.
Former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aliyu Wamakko who was represented by Aminu Sufi, also urged parents to encourage their children to embrace Qur’anic memorisation.
Also, former Zamfara State governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, represented by Lawal Liman, pledged continuous support for the Foundation and announced a donation of N22 million alongside food items to the graduands and the school.
The proprietor of the religious school, Sheikh Bauchi, who was represented by Ibrahim Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, explained that the Foundation’s expansion to other states was intended to keep children engaged in structured Qur’anic learning and to curb street begging.
Each of the 111 graduands received ₦20,000 and clothing materials from the Sokoto State Government.
