By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Kaduna – The Director General, State Services (DGSS), Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi has built and donated an Islamic school to the  Dan Bushiya community in the New Millennium City, Chikun local government area of Kaduna State, as part of his efforts to build trust between the government and the general public

During the commissioning of the school, Darul Ilm(Center for Islamic studies), on Sunday, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll observed that of all the countries of the world, Nigeria stood out as the only country where Muslims and Christians interact peacefully despite religious differences.

He therfore called on Nigerians to maintain peaceful coexistence and avoid using religion as tool of hatred by the people.

The Sultan was full of gratitude to the DSS boss for building and donating  the Islamic  center,even though he is a Christian.

“I don’t think we have any country in the world where Muslims and Christians interact peacefully like in Nigeria.

Let’s not take religion to the level that it will bring hatred to us as Nigerians. We must eschew religious bigotry because on the last day everybody will stand before God and give accounts of stewardship on the earth.”

” We have challenges, but there is hope in this country if we can all do this. Nigeria is great, it will be great. We believe in our unity to surmount all our challenges. It is important to note that we are going through tough time, but Nigeria is not the only country going through such difficult time. We can surmount our problems in this country. We should do our best.”

“If we know that we have problems, then it is half solved. We must pray for our President, governors and other leaders. The problems of this country are not insurmountable. We must come together to solve our problems. We have so much resources in Nigeria including human and mineral resources. Let’s not lose sight of those who are envious of Nigeria because Nigeria is the only country that belongs to us and it is that we know.”

“We are all here for one purpose, we are here because education is the most important thing you can give any child in his life, no matter where that programme is taking place, we will endeavour to be there to show people that we believe in education of our children, boys and girls at all levels, both Islamic and Western education.”

“Today we are gathered here to witness this historic programme in Kaduna. We are made to understand that the school was built for orphaned children by a  non Muslim with his personal fund, not government funds. I think this is a very big statement. If we can do this at all levels, I think there is a big hope for this country. Of course, we never lose hope that this country is going to be great. This programme looks small but it is big.This community has never seen this number of dignitaries before.”

“This school is a special school for Orphans and indigent children. We are the parents of such children, and only God would reward us if we help them receive education. I think those that are blessed by God should endeavor to buy land to build more of this type of school in the communities. We should not lose hope in Nigeria,” the Sultan added.

Darul ilm  was built and donated by the Director-General of the DSS, through support from his friends and associates, but  was later named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Highlight of the occasion was when the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abas Tijjani, represented by the Speaker of the Kaduna State House Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Liman, was asked by the Sultan of Sokoto, to move a motion to name the Islamic school after the President.

The Speaker directed a former Minority Leader of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Mohammed Ali to move the motion of the renaming of the “Darul Ilm Centre for Islamic Studies”  after the President which  was seconded by the former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani.

DG SS Ajayi, was represented by Alhaji Ahmed Zalmar, a retired DSS Director at the inauguration and second Quranic graduation ceremony of 22 students at the school.

According to him, the initiative  was part of his efforts to build trust between the government and the general public, and to promote internal security through constructive citizen engagement, interfaith dialogue, and policy discourse.

“I have  initiated measures aimed at building trust between the Government and the general public to bolster internal security through constructive citizens engagement, interfaith dialogue and policy discourse,” he said.

Ajayi explained that the law empowered DSS to prevent five major threats to internal security of Nigeria, which include espionage, insurgency, sabotage, subversion and terrorism.

The Chief host, Governor Uba Sani said the school represented hope, opportunity, and a commitment to education and humanity.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Uba Sani praised the DSS Director-General’s vision and selflessness, reaffirming his government’s efforts to address poverty, insecurity, and inequality.

The Governor said his administration prioritised education, therefore allocating a significant portion of the budget to reduce out-of-school syndrome, construct classrooms, and recruit qualified teachers.

The Governor called on the graduands to uphold values of integrity, discipline, and compassion, and to be agents of positive change in their communities.

The Emir of Zazzau,Amb Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli and several other dignitaries, also graced the occasion.