Kano – The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, will honour the overall winner of the 2013 International Qur’anic Recitation Competition and in Sokoto on Thursday.

The overall winner of the competition, Malam Kabiru Musa, hails from Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Dr Habibu Gwarzo, Chairman, Kano State Quranic Recitation Committee, said this on Tuesday in Kano at a press conference.

“The Sultan of Sokoto, Dr Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed that the overall winner of the competition and other winners should proceed to Sokoto on their arrival from Saudi Arabia for a special reception in their honour.

“As soon as they arrive in Abuja today (Tuesday), they will proceed to Sokoto for the grand reception.

“This is the first time in 20 years, the overall winner in ‘Complete Qur’anic Recitation Competition and Tafsir is coming from Kano State.

‘’This is a thing of joy to Muslims in Kano State in particular, and Nigeria at large,’’ Gwarzo said.

He commended the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, Kano State Government and other stakeholders for their contributions toward the success of the programme at the local, state, national and international levels.

The chairman specifically commended three Kano-based businessmen, Alhaji Isiyaku Rabi’u, Alhaji Aminu Dantata and Alhaji Abubakar Rano for their `extra-ordinary’ support to the committee.

Over 150 countries participated in this year’s King Abdul’Aziz International Quranic Competition held in Saudi Arabia. (NAN)