NSCIA expands national executive council, appoints new officers

By Daily Hibiscus News

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) says it has restructured and expanded its national executive council (NEC).

Abbas Jimoh, public affairs officer of the council, said in a statement on Saturday that the development followed decisions reached at the NSCIA general assembly held in Abuja on Friday, October 1.

Jimoh said the assembly was attended by Muslim leaders, including traditional rulers of the Islamic faith and chief imams of central mosques in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to him, the assembly approved the renewal and expansion of the council’s national executive, appointing Mahfouz Adedimeji as deputy secretary-general (national), Salisu Shehu as deputy secretary-general (international) Abeny Mohammed as deputy secretary-general (corporate), and Bala Muhammad as deputy secretary-general (administration).

Other appointments include Umar Jibrilu Gwandu as national public relations officer (PRO) and Hajia Sekinat Lawal as deputy public relations officer (DPRO).

Mairo Mandara was appointed development officer, while Abdullahi Musa PenAbdul was named deputy development officer (technical). Fatimah Abdulkarim was appointed family affairs officer.

The expansion comes as Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of the NSCIA, called for religious tolerance at the general assembly.

Abubakar said nobody should be forced to embrace Islam, adding that Muslims should respect the rights and freedoms of people of other faiths.