Dangote, Senator Mustapha Deliver Major Interventions for Ilorin Central Mosque
The Ilorin Central Juma’at Mosque has secured two landmark interventions that would guarantee its long-term sustainability and ease of maintenance.
This was disclosed on Sunday by Alhaji Shehu Abdulgafar, OON, secretary of the Mosque’s Board of Trustees and Danmadami of Ilorin, during a press conference held at the mosque’s premises, Ilorin
Alhaji Abdulgafar revealed that Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has pledged to build and donate a 250-bed ultramodern hostel at the University of Ilorin to support the mosque’s finances. The hostel project, valued at ₦1.1 billion, will generate annual rental income dedicated to the mosque’s upkeep.
He explained that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the University of Ilorin, granting ownership and management of the facility to the mosque for 21 years before it reverts to the institution. Dangote has also begun fulfilling his additional promise of a ₦5 million monthly donation to support the mosque’s maintenance pending the hostel’s completion.
“On behalf of the Emir and the people of Ilorin Emirate, we sincerely thank Alhaji Dangote for this historic intervention that will rescue the mosque from financial challenges for the next two decades,” Abdulgafar stated.
In a similar development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, facilitated the installation of a multi-million naira ultramodern solar-powered mini-grid system at the mosque.
The project, which also extends power to parts of the Emir’s palace, is expected to drastically cut energy costs while ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply for the first time in the mosque’s history.
Alhaji Abdulgafar described both interventions as aligning with the vision of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, for a self-sustaining and world-class central mosque that serves as both a place of worship and a cultural heritage landmark.
The press conference also paid tributes to past and present leaders who contributed to the development of the mosque, including the late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, ex-Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, and current Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Alhaji Abdulgafar called on all indigenes and friends of Ilorin to continue supporting the mosque’s upkeep.
“Maintenance is the oil of physical infrastructure. Without it, they decay and deteriorate. The Ilorin Central Mosque belongs to all of us; we must preserve it for ourselves and future generations,” he said.
