Yobe Mosque: Why salary deduction is still on -Baaba

Speaking in Maiduguri, the former Yobe State Secretary to the State Government (SSG) said he was making explanations regarding the continuous contributions being made by public office holders even as some members of the public have a feeling that with the completion of the mosque, the project was over. “I think is important I make […]

Speaking in Maiduguri, the former Yobe State Secretary to the State Government (SSG) said he was making explanations regarding the continuous contributions being made by public office holders even as some members of the public have a feeling that with the completion of the mosque, the project was over.

“I think is important I make this clarification. The Yobe Islamic Centre is meant to consist of a mosque, which is so far the largest in Nigeria and has been commissioned and infrastructure for nursery, primary and secondary schools. At the moment and with the ongoing construction of a block of 6 classrooms, we have 24 classrooms whereas 42 are needed. We also need a standard library, a guest house and the residence of the Director General who oversees the centre and that of the Chief Imam of the mosque amongst other things that require so much money. Political office holders and not civil servants have continued to give a fraction of their basic salaries on a monthly basis for the continuation of the project and they are doing it voluntarily and that is why deductions are made with their consent,” Baaba said.

He noted that during the main phase of the project which focused on the mosque edifice, similar contributions were being made by civil servants during which he noted that thousands of Christian workers in the state who were not even consulted on the contributions, opted to take part in a solidarity with their colleagues who are Muslims, maintaining that such gesture was a clear demonstration of religious tolerance, unity and coexistence in the state.