Maiduguri Central Mosque: How the Shehu broke the jinx

However, instead of the new edifice to come to life, the skeleton that was erected in place of the old one was left to rot for decades because of many factors, including paucity of funds and more importantly, the myth surrounding the spiritual house. According to legend, the mosque was meant to remain the way […]

However, instead of the new edifice to come to life, the skeleton that was erected in place of the old one was left to rot for decades because of many factors, including paucity of funds and more importantly, the myth surrounding the spiritual house.

According to legend, the mosque was meant to remain the way it was built without any attempt to modernize, expand or change its original local architectural outlook.

“It is believed that if the mosque is completed, prominent people whose lineage is traced to the old Kanem Borno Empire will die,” Mallam Goni Kukawa who lives close to the Shehu’s palace in the heart of Maiduguri city said.

The magnificent prayer house was therefore demonized by people who hold superstitious beliefs that its completion might lead to the death of many prominent Borno citizens   including top monarchs.

“I think the mysteries surrounding the building, especially the belief that the Shehu of Borno who is reigning when it is completed, will die may be part of the reasons why the mosque is left like this,” Goni said.

Observers say the reluctance of authorities to complete the edifice has reduced the “prestige” associated with the seat of the Borno Emirate council because prominent guests who always visit the palace to pay homage to the Shehu are left with no option than to pray in the temporary mosque.

However, the new Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai el-Kanemi, has taken the gauntlet and said the dream of a befitting mosque for Maiduguri will be a reality.

“We are Muslims and we believe in life and death…every soul must taste death when the time to go comes. It doesn’t make sense for a Muslim to believe that building the house of God will lead to death,” the Shehu who ascended the throne in 2009 said in an interview he granted newsmen about a year ago.

During his coronation, the Shehu lamented the absence of a central mosque edifice in Maiduguri. He noted that non-existence of a befitting mosque has been a source of shame to the people of Borno state where Islam was established over 1000 years ago.

Since then, the Shehu continued to make contacts including appeals to Governor Ali Modu Sheriff for the state government to foot the required bill for the completion of the mosque which had reached about 60 percent completion before it was abandoned.

And on Friday, 11th March, 2011, the Shehu’s dream came to life as the contract for the completion of the mosque was signed between the committee set up by the state government and A.G Ferrero and Co Ltd at the cost of N876, 835,257.87 with a completion period of 60 weeks. In the interview he granted newsmen shortly after signing the contract, the Shehu recalled the tribulations that trailed the central mosque.

According to him: “the history of this mosque is legendary.

Shehu Abubakar Garbai, my grandfather who was my name sake, was the one who built the mosque after he established Maiduguri.

“Along the way, the mosque became old and needed expansion and upgrading. That was when a decision was reached and the mosque was finally demolished.

“After the commencement of work on the new mosque, the project was suddenly halted for over 23 years. Several committees were set up and huge donations were received but the mosque could not be completed,” the Shehu recalled.

“No one can tell you the reason even though many things are being said about the mosque.

“As Allah pleases, last year (2010), we went to the premises of the state radio station (BRTV) for an Islamic function and I made an appeal for the speedy completion of the mosque.

“Luckily enough, the governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was at the function and he agreed to help. He set up a committee which worked tirelessly and submitted its report to the government.

After studying the report, the governor approved the release of funds for the continuation of work on the abandoned mosque. We thank Almighty Allah for showing us today when we saw the formal signing of contract for the completion of the Maiduguri Central Mosque,” the Shehu said.

The Shehu said he was optimistic that members of the committee that was set up to complete the mosque are trustworthy and will end the decades long speculations about the fortunes of the prayers house.

Chaired by the former governor of North Central Nigeria, Brigadier General Abba Kyari (rtd), members of the committee include the Waziri of Borno, Alhaji Mustapha Yerima; Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, Alhaji Gambo Gubio, former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Abdullahi Shettima and Alhaji Tijjani Bolori, OON.

Others are former vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Abubakar Mustapha; Alhaji Mohammed Makinta, Dr Hamma Adama Biu, Sheikh Abubakar Kyari, Alhaji Zanna Mallam Gana, Engineer Ali Gambo Maina, Engineer Tijjani Bukar, Alhaji Abdulhameed Yusuf, Engineer Ma’aji Abdullahi Shettima and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Malam Shehu Mustapha Liberty as secretary.

“I have spoken to all stakeholders including the contractors to ensure timely completion of the project. The contractors have goodwill because they were the ones who built the Borno State secretariat in the seventies. I urge them to do the work subject to specifications and time,” the Shehu said.

He thanked Governor Ali Modu Sheriff for intervening in the mosque project which he said was a watershed in the history of the Shehu’s palace

The chairman of the 17 member committee, retired Brigadier General Abba Kyari, who spoke through Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, said the architectural drawings of the mosque which includes main prayer hall, women wing and a library have been maintained.

When completed, the mosque is to also serve as an ecumenical center of learning and moderation.

Observers say the courage by the Shehu is commendable because myths have no place in Islam.

With the recent development, Muslims in Maiduguri and environs are now anxiously waiting to pray in the Borno Central Mosque which is strategically located within the precinct of the Shehu’s palace.