The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said Islamic leaders will draw the attention of political leaders to the hardship facing Nigerians and press for measures to improve the welfare of ordinary citizens.
He said religious leaders were aware of the concerns being raised by Nigerians and would continue to urge those in authority to address the challenges confronting the country.
The Sultan spoke at the grand finale of the centenary celebration of Az-Zumratul Adabiyyatul Kamaliyyah School of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Ilorin, founded by the late Sheikh Muhammad Kamaldeen Al-Adabiyy, the first Mufti of Ilorin.
“As leaders of Islam, we are always aware of all the issues people are raising in the public domain. We will do our best and bring attention to the leaders on what they should do for the common man on the street,” the monarch said at the weekend.
The Sultan’s appeal comes amid renewed concerns over the cost of living, with food prices, transportation fares and rising fuel costs continuing to put pressure on household budgets.
It also came days after the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), which he heads, called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to reduce food and transportation costs amid the hardship facing Nigerians.
In a communiqué issued after its General Assembly in Abuja on October 8, the council urged the government to accelerate measures to ease the burden on ordinary citizens.
But the Federal Government says it is taking steps to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on households and businesses without reinstating the petrol subsidy removed in 2023.
Finance Minister, Taiwo Oyedele, announced measures including a 30-day petrol price relief arrangement at NNPC Retail stations.
The government said the intervention was intended to provide temporary relief, while maintaining that the discount would be funded from NNPC Retail’s margin rather than public funds.
At the event, the Sultan expressed optimism that Nigeria could overcome its challenges. He said there was no problem without a solution from Allah.
“We know the problems in this country, and we know that there is no problem without a solution,” he noted.
He urged Nigerians to pray for divine intervention.
He also called on Nigerians to pray for the President, governors, local government chairmen and other political leaders to enable them to make decisions that would improve people’s lives.
The Sultan urged Muslims to demonstrate good character and promote peaceful coexistence, irrespective of religious differences.
“You cannot be a good Muslim if you don’t love your neighbour. You have to love whoever Allah brought to you as your neighbour,” he said.
He warned youths against allowing themselves to be used as political thugs, bandits or terrorists for the political or financial interests of individuals.
The Sultan said the centenary offered an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s achievements and consider ways to strengthen its contributions to education and moral development.
He praised the institution’s leadership and said he would explore ways to support its growth through engagement with government and other stakeholders.
Describing Ilorin as his home, the Sultan recalled that his first visit to the city was more than 42 years ago when he was a soldier at Sobi Barracks.
He expressed pleasure at returning for the celebration and prayed that the institution would continue to grow and contribute to the education of future generations.
Other dignitaries at the celebration included the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; and former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who is the Baba Adini of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, General Overseer of Az-Zumratul School, Sheikh Mustapha Kamalu-deen Al-Adabby; and the Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice AbdulLateef Kamaldeen alongside other Islamic scholars and traditional leaders.
The week-long celebration of the institution’s founding and legacy climaxed with the grand finale in Ilorin on Sunday.
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