Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, have jointly called on Qur’an memorizers and Muslims across Nigeria to serve as ambassadors of peace, tolerance, and unity, thereby strengthening national cohesion and development.
The call was made on Saturday during the graduation of 110 Qur’an memorisers at the Sokoto branch of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi Islamic School in the state capital.
Governor Aliyu stressed that religious knowledge must go beyond personal piety to foster social harmony, warning that meaningful development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of hatred, division, and extremism.
He reiterated that Islam, as a religion of peace, enjoins patience, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
He highlighted his administration’s investments in religious education, moral values, and the rehabilitation of worship centres, including the reactivation of the Hisbah Board, renovation of Jumu’at mosques, stipends for mosque upkeep, and Ramadan feeding programmes.
He also pledged land for a permanent site for the Qur’anic school while urging philanthropists and community leaders to support Islamic education as a lasting legacy.
In his remarks, the Sultan reminded Nigerians that diversity was divinely ordained for complementarity, not division.
He cautioned against intolerance, urging all faith communities to embrace compassion, mutual respect, and love. According to him, unity and peace are indispensable for progress, and no nation can advance in the absence of harmony.
The Sultan commended the school’s proprietors, teachers, and sponsors for their dedication and sacrifice, which made the students’ achievement possible.
Addressing the graduates, he encouraged them to view their memorisation of the Holy Qur’an as the beginning of a lifelong academic journey, urging them to pursue both Islamic and secular studies, vocational skills, and service to humanity with discipline and self-reliance.
He further reminded political leaders to lead by example through justice, fairness, and inclusiveness, noting that leadership rooted in equity is vital for peace and stability.
Earlier, the school’s proprietor, Alhaji Kabiru Mu’azu-Jodi, thanked the governor, Sultan, and parents for their support and assured continued commitment to discipline, morality, and sound Islamic education.
The event also featured special prayers for national peace led by Sheikh Ibrahim Shehu Dahiru-Bauchi and the presentation of awards to outstanding students.
The state government announced cash support of N20,000 for each graduate and N2 million for teachers, supplemented by donations from Senator Aliyu Wamakko, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, and other dignitaries.
