By Ismail Auwal
The Zamfara State Government has approved N85 million for the hosting of Sheikh Ibrahim Niass’s 36th Annual Maulud celebration in the state.
The event is an annual celebration to commemorate the birth of the foremost Tijjaniya Sufi Oder’s leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Niass.
According to a letter signed by the state government’s Secretary, Kabiru Balarabe, the association Majmau Ahbab, this expenditure covers air tickets for invited members of the Tijjaniya from Dakar, Senegal, to Nigeria; feeding and lodging; production of invitation cards; banners and logistics, among other logistics.
” It provides an avenue to convey messages of peace, love, and moderation, as espoused by Sheikh Ibrahim Niass (RTA) during his lifetime,” said the letter.
The government claimed to have received a twelve-page ” detailed breakdown of the expenditure from the hosting association Majmau Ahbab.”
Governor Bello Matawalle has directed that the funds be released as soon as possible by the state Ministry of Finance.
“The funds would be charged under Administrative Code 22021025, under my office,” he noted.
Social media users have reacted angrily to the gesture.
