As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, has warned Nigerian youths against being recruited as political thugs or bandits.
The traditional ruler and Islamic leader spoke on Sunday at the centenary celebration of Az-Zumratul Adabbiyatul Kamaliyyah School of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Ilorin, Kwara State.
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“I challenge our youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs or as bandits in whatever way, either for political or economic gains,” the Sultan said.
He also urged Nigerians to pray for their leaders, including the president and state governors.
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The Sultan called on Muslims to show love and kindness to their neighbours, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
“All of us should be better Muslims by being good to our neighbours regardless of their faith. We should also pray for our leaders always so that they can do good things for all of us,” he said.
He stressed that religious differences should not prevent Nigerians from living together peacefully, adding that leaders must do more to address the country’s challenges.
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“We are Muslims and we love everybody. We have not come here to say that we are better than anyone. Our leaders should do more. We know our problems, but Allah has solutions to our problems,” he said.
The Sultan commended the foresight of the late founder of the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Adabiy, whose vision led to the establishment of the institution 100 years ago.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the school’s continued growth and development.
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“We thank Allah for keeping the progress of this institution. We will always do all we can do to help this institution,” he said.
The event attracted prominent personalities, including former Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by AbdulRazaq Jiddah.
Also in attendance were former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; a former member of the House of Representatives, Mashood Mustapha, who served as the chief launcher at the event; and the immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede.
Governor AbdulRazaq announced a donation of N180 million on behalf of his family and the Kwara State Government to support the institution.
He pledged that his administration would continue to support the school in realising the vision of its founder.
The governor also praised the late Sheikh Kamalud-deen for his contributions to Islamic scholarship and urged Muslims to uphold his legacies of peace, learning and religious harmony.
In his remarks, Mr Saraki reiterated his commitment to preserving the legacies of the late cleric, whose contributions to the propagation of Islam and the promotion of co-education, he said, were recognised beyond Nigeria.
“Wherever you go today, Ilorin is synonymous with Islam and Islam is synonymous with Ilorin, and it is because of the great works done by people like the late Sheikh Kamalu-deen in the propagation of Islam even beyond the shores of Nigeria,” Mr Saraki said.
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