The Secretary. Board of Trustees of Ilorin Central Jummat Mosque, Alhaji Shehu AbdulGafar, has called on wealthy indigenes of the community to contribute more to the maintenance of the ultramodern mosque.
While thanking those who have consistently contributed funds towards the maintenance of the mosque, AbdulGafar urged other wealthy indigenes of Ilorin to follow suit.
AbdulGafar, who spoke during the meeting of the members of the board of trustees of the mosque and stakeholders in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, said the mosque has no any investment of its own.
He said: “I wish to end this report by reminding all of us that this mosque has no investment of its own, and only a few individuals among our blessed ones have cared about its sustainable maintenance, and now it all seems like a repeat of the mistakes of the past.
“While we continue to bask in the euphoria of having yet another iconic edifice, as a Ummah, the reality of its continued sustenance vis-a-vis its sorry past seems to have been lost on us. Yet again, I therefore call on you to donate generously towards the continued maintenance of the mosque.”
Earlier, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the mosque, Justice Alfa Belgore, had disclosed that,” the mosque was not receiving any subvention from any government apart from the five local governments constituting Ilorin Emirate.
He said: “We rely on the goodwill and generous donations from individuals and groups for the maintenance. I am, however, happy to inform the house that the best attention is being given to the mosque within the limit of available resources.”
Describing the mosque as the best of its kind in Africa South of the Sahara, Belgore expressed the hope that, “the maintenance of the edifice will not surfer degradation”.
Belgore added: “Finally, I once again welcome you all to this meeting, wish you fruitful deliberations and urge you to donate generously to enable us sustain the current tempo in the maintenance of the mosque.”
