The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, says piety and repentance remain the likely solutions to the current economic recession in the country.
“The current recession in Nigeria and other parts of the world has been ordained by God,” Abubakar said on Wednesday during a special distribution of N9 million worth of free items to widows, orphans and other indigents.
The ceremony was organised by the Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Committee as part of events lined up to mark the 10th anniversary of the sultan on the throne.
Abubakar cautioned Muslims and Christians across the country to live their lives according to the dictates of their holy scriptures.
The sultan called for more proactive measures to stem frequent cases of kidnapping in the country, while enjoining governments to adopt more measures at all levels to cushion the sufferings of the people.
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, described the 10 years of the sultan on the throne as unprecedented, remarkable and historic.
Tambuwal said the sultan had remained an epitome of peace, unity as well as a bridge-builder in the country and beyond.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was present at the occasion also extolled the existing cordial relations between Kano Emirate and the Sultanate Council of Sokoto.
Sanusi described the sultan as a `Father to all Nigerians’ — Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
The chairman of the Zakkat and Endowment Committee, Alhaji Lawal Maidoki, said no fewer than 270 persons would benefit from the distribution.
Maidoki named the items for distribution to include 100 bags of rice, 50 grinding machines, 50 sewing machines, 50 freezers and 50 mattresses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a special prayer session for sustainable peace and unity in the state and the country at large was earlier conducted at the Sultan Bello Mosque, Sokoto.
The session was presided over by the Sarkin Malaman, Sokoto, Sheikh Buhari Sirriddawa. (NAN)