Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has awarded each winner from the six categories of the 41st Niger State Qur’an recitation competition a Hajj seat and N5 million.
The committee presented the prizes at the event, organised by the Niger State Qur’anic Recitation Competition Committee and held in Bida. All other participants received a consolation prize of N1 million each.
Hassana Muhammad Husseini of Suleja Local Government Area emerged as the overall female winner, while Shamsudeen Awwal of Shiroro Local Government Area took the male category title.
Bago praised the organisers for encouraging young people to be resourceful to themselves and society, saying his administration would continue to support programmes that promote both Islamic and Western education and pledged ongoing scholarships for the youth.
He also urged parents to enrol their children in school so they can grow disciplined and contribute to national development.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, thanked the organisers and the governor for their support.
He encouraged Muslim parents not to hesitate in sending their children to Islamic schools so they can better understand their religion and become advocates of peace.
Acting Chairman of the competition committee, Muhammad Ciroma, said the annual event promotes memorisation of the Qur’an, which he described as the heritage and pride of Muslims, disclosing that 134 participants from the state’s eight emirates took part.
The winners will represent Niger State at the national competition in Jigawa in November.
The Guest speaker, Imam Idris Muhammad and Niger State Coordinator of the Qur’anic Recitation Committee, Malam Idris Muhammad, stressed the need for Muslims to recite the Qur’an regularly and live by its teachings as the faith’s guiding principle.