EDO State Governor Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has approved the sum of N200 million for the establishment of an Islamic Centre in Auchi, the Administration Headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of the State.
The centre which is to be called Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole, Islamic Institute according to the Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh who announced the donation on behalf of the State Governor is located at the recently created Oshiomhole village in Auchi.
Speaking at this year’s annual Auchi Day Celebration, held at the palace of the Otaru on Thursday, the Chief Host, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III and the Otaru of Auchi Kingdom said that the Governor has equally hinted him that the notorious Auchi Erosion site had been awarded to Setraco Nigeria Limited and work is expected to commence in earnests.
The royal father further disclosed that the Governor has graciously advanced N50 million out of the N200 million donation for the building of the Islamic Centre.
Explaining why Auchi Cultural Extravaganza usually hold every December 7, annually to be renamed Auchi Day, the Otaru said the change in nomenclature was to further propagate the spread of the teaching of Islam through lectures and teaching by renowned Islamic scholars instead of the ordinary cultural fiesta that use to dominate the celebration.
On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III who was the Special Guest at the occasion charged all sons and daughters of Auchi Kingdom irrespective of their religious beliefs to contribute to the development of Education in the area just as he challenged them to be part of the celebration annually.
The Sultan who saw the celebration of anything in life as part of thanksgiving to God for what He (God) has done in one’s life however urged the newly inaugurated age group in the community to see their new position as that of soldiers for the spread of Islamic teachings through non violent means unlike what the insurgents are doing in the North-East and beyond.
In a lecture titled “The Glorious Qu’ran Allah’s Timeless message to mankind” delivered by Professor Abdul Rasak, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, Hitman University, Ilorin, Kwara State, blamed the woes of Nigeria on bad governance adding that insurgents arise in any society as a result of injustice.
The University Don, who claimed that fake electioneering Promises made by politicians during campaign further impoverish the people, argued that our political strategy had failed because of selfish and corrupt leaders who always think of themselves alone at the detriment of the larger populace.
High point of the celebration which witnessed large turn-out of Guest from all walks of life was the presentation of prizes and cash to winners in various categories of sporting events that Herald the Day.
