In 2007, it took Sultan 4 hours to reach Fagam village; last month he did it in 30 minutes: What happened?

Firstly, the vehicle in which he was travelling to the village was stuck in mud. Secondly, the Sultan was also mortified when he asked for a mosque to observe his sunset prayer only to be told by the host community that there was no mosque to accommodate his entourage in the village. The Sultan, who […]

Firstly, the vehicle in which he was travelling to the village was stuck in mud. Secondly, the Sultan was also mortified when he asked for a mosque to observe his sunset prayer only to be told by the host community that there was no mosque to accommodate his entourage in the village.

The Sultan, who was in the village to distribute Zakkat to needy persons, Sunday Trust learnt, was moved by the two incidents. However, at the time the unfortunate incidents took place, neither the community, nor the two personalities (Sultan and Governor) knew that the incidents would turn into blessing.

The Sultan had pleaded with the state Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido to construct the road and a mosque in the village, a request which Governor Lamido out rightly consented to.

 Sunday Trust observed that, the Sultan was concerned about the condition of the community because they are the highest givers of Zakkat in Jigawa State. It was gathered that, being predominantly farmers, the community were giving out various farm produce valued at N5m as Zakkat annually, according to the Chairman of Zakkat Committee, the Emir of Dutse, Dr Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi.

However, during his second visit for the official launch of the Jigawa Talakawa Summit in October 2008, Sunday Trust gathered, the Sultan asked the state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido about the two projects. In response, the governor informed him that they had reached advanced stages.

In appreciation to that, the Sultan promised that when completed, he would personally commission the two projects. To prove himself right, our reporter learnt, the governor was said to have organised an inspection visit to the village to enable the Sultan see the level of work done at the site.

Fortunately for the community, less than two years after the Sultan’s request, the road in question was constructed and a foundation for a Juma’at Mosque was laid. Interestingly, the Sultan was invited by the state governor on February 26, 2010 for the commissioning of the road as well as laying the foundation for the mosque.

While the road was completed in sixteen months, the mosque is expected to be completed in two months, according to the Chairman of the Committee, the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the community had, for the past 20 years, been agitating for the construction of the road.

Our correspondent gathered that the Sultan was said to be attracted to the community owing to their contribution to Islam particularly on the issue of Zakkat.   

 Sunday Trust observed that, the 58-kilometre road was constructed by CGC Construction Company at the cost of N3.1 billion. The road project was extended to five additional villages, namely: Gwani, Gadama, Kwandigo, Lafiya and Sagi.

Speaking shortly after commissioning the road, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar told the gathering that when he visited the area in 2007, he was devastated over the state of the road. He said “what baffles me much was that, despite the community’s contribution to Islam their road was left unrepaired.”

Sultan Abubakar explained that during his last visit to the area, he spent more than four hours before he could reach Fagam village, but now, he could reach the village within 30 minutes. He assured that, God willing he would return to the village to commission the mosque.

The Sultan, urged wealthy individuals and traditional leaders in the state to assist the administration of Jigawa in moving the state forward. He noted that government alone could not shoulder all the responsibilities for developing the state.

Speaking earlier, Governor Sule Lamido described the Sultan’s visit to the village as a blessed one. He added that construction of the road and the mosque were part of his administration’s efforts to fulfill its statutory functions as elected government.

“When the Sultan was in this village for the distribution of Zakkat to needy persons his vehicle was hooked in clay. As a result, he requested us to construct the road and a mosque. Today, I am very happy to have the Sultan in our midst to commission the projects which he personally requested,” said Lamido.

Governor Lamido further explained that, “when   the Sultan forwarded the request to me, I was moved.” He assured that, his regime would continue to execute projects that would impact on the lives of its people.

Speaking also at the commissioning of the road, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Baba Aliyu Sintali said the government has constructed over 20 roads since inception. A total of over N20 billion has been spent on road projects.