Vice-President Shettima inaugurates N570 million NASS mosque

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the Jumu’at Mosque built by the Muslim faithfuls in the National Assembly.

In his remark, Mr Shettima felicitated with the Muslim faithful in the National Assembly and urged them to act with humility as they discharge their responsibilities.

He advised the Muslim faithfuls to be mindful of their lifestyles as they must one day leave their positions and the world.

“50 years from now, many people will not be alive. We should act with humility. Power and wealth are gifts from Allah”, he said.

The vice-president commended all the people involved in the building and completion of the Mosque.

Earlier, the Chairman, National Assembly Mosque Project Management Committee, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, said that the idea to build the Mosque came up in 2021.

He said the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives set up the committee consisting of four senators, 10 members of the House of Representatives and three members from NASS management.

Mr Shekarau said that the aim was to build a bigger Mosque for Muslims as the existing one was small for the Muslim community praying in the National Assembly.

“We had our first meeting on September 22, 2021.

“After the committee’s meeting, a general meeting of all Muslim legislators was called and that was when the legislators converted an ordinary muted idea into a concrete reality.

“All 227 of us agreed to bear the brunt of the project, and within eight months of this agreement, we had contributed well over N570 million.

“The magnificent state-of-the-art edifice you are about to commission is the result of the moral and financial commitment of Muslim members of the 9th Assembly and Muslim staff of the National Assembly,” he said.

In his remark, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who was represented by the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, commended all the people that made contributions to build the Mosque.

According to him, it is God’s will that chose the members of the 9th Assembly to do it otherwise, it would have been done earlier.

In his address, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said that the 9th Assembly had the opportunity to make history and provide a lasting legacy with huge rewards in the hereafter.

“We consider ourselves very lucky for choosing us to make this Mosque a reality,” he said.

Mr Lawan said that Muslim senators contributed N400,000 monthly while members of the House of Representatives contributed N250,000 per month as the project lasts.

In his vote of thanks, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said, the building of the Mosque was a sacrifice made for God.

He said that it does not require anybody’s commendation as everyone is only looking for infinite reward from God.

(NAN)