Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has urged the Muslim Ummah to sustain the various virtues learnt during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan.
Bagudu made the admonition in Birnin Kebbi at the 7th Kebbi Women’s Ramadan lecture with the theme: “The Spirit of Ramadan”, organized by the Kebbi state First Lady, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu.
According to the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, such invaluable virtues include Forgiveness, piety, philanthropy, patience and honesty, among others.
Bagudu further urged Muslims to forgive one another, as well as love each other.
He said: “We should also continue to seek for the forgiveness of the Almighty Allah and for the sustenance of His abundant blessings to Kebbi state.
“This lecture is apt and timely and it has happily been sustained for the past seven years.
“The lecture series has recorded tremendous successes and it should be replicated across the country.”
Bagudu further said that the lectures have been enlightening and sensitizing women from across the state.
The governor called for the intensification of fervent prayers for lasting peace and unity in the state and the country at large.
Bagudu said: “Women play key roles in national development and they should be accorded a pride of place in the society.”
He also said that both the male and female genders were created by God and were equal before Him.
Bagudu commended his wife, Dr Zainab Bagudu for the invaluable gesture of organising and sustaining the series of lectures for 7 years saying that it attracts abundant reward from the Almighty Allah.
The governor while appreciating all the speakers for spreading Islamic knowledge also asked for forgiveness from all.
Dr Zainab Bagudu, while speaking, said that the lecture series was aimed at boosting the growth of Islam.
She said:” They are aimed at educating the womenfolk, especially during Ramadan month.”
The wife of the governor further explained that the Ramadan lecture series has been widely accepted by women, organizations and even students.
She commended her husband, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his unrelenting support and advice towards the success of the program.
“I must also commend my husband for his relentless efforts at ensuring the success of the lecture series.
“They are aimed at fostering unity, peaceful coexistence and prosperity.”
Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu while stressing the importance of forgiveness as enshrined in Islam, asked for forgiveness as the tenure of this administration comes to an end.
She prayed that the administration of Kauran Gwandu would continue with the Ramadan lecture.
Earlier, governor-elect, Dr Nasir Idris, said his incoming administration would not victimize and witch-hunt any political officeholder when he assumed office on May 29 in the state.
“I am going to emulate the virtue of my elder brother, the incumbent governor, Bagudu, as throughout his eight-year tenure politicians are not victimised as he has worked for the unity of his party in particular and the state in general.
“There was a time when all the political office holders from 1999 towards the tail end of 2022, from former governors, deputy governors and members of both the national and state assemblies were almost all in APC.
“We commend him for his exemplary leadership style and we assure him that we will work closely for the progress of our party and development of the state,” he said.
Kauran Gwandu pledged to continue the good work of the governor particularly the Ramadan lecture.
In their separate remarks, the wives of the governor-elect, Hajiya Zainab Idris and Hajiya Nafisa Idris, lauded Shinkafi-Bagudu’s initiative of the Ramadan lecture, assuring that they would sustain the programme with the assistance of their husbands.
The Hon Commissioner for Environment, giving the vote of thanks, Hayatu Bawa commended Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for educating women through the Ramadan lecture for over six years.
He also lauded Governor Bagudu for his unwavering support for sustaining the program while also appreciating all those who have contributed in one way or the other for the success of the program over the years.
Lectures on forgiveness in Islam, sustaining the spirit of Ramadan and the best Eid-el-fitr were delivered by Dr Mufti Menk, Dr Jabir Sani-Maihula, Malama Zainab Jafar Mahmud-Adam and Malama Juwairiya Sulaiman.
Special prayers were offered to the late Hassana Sule, the Police orderly to the wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu who died recently from a brief illness.
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