Date: 2012-12-03

Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari, has ordered the closure of all markets around the Ilorin Central Mosque between December 13 and 14, 2012 as part of preparation for the opening of the renovated multi-billion naira mosque.

The commissioning is billed for December 14, according to Chairman, Central Working Committee, Alhaji Shehu AbdulGafar, who briefed reporters in Ilorin yesterday.

Former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tanbuwal and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar lll are all expected to grace the occasion. Shagari is billed to chair the event.

The mosque has been brought back to its glory at a cost of N1.95 billion and is now upgraded to international standard. It has capacity to take 4,000 worshippers inside and 16,000 outside at the same time.

The order to close the markets, according to AbdulGafar, is to ensure there are no encumberances on the day of the commissioning.

His words: "The Emir, who is the president of Ilorin Juma'at Central Mosque, has directed that all markets around the Central Mosque be closed from Thursday and Friday 13th and 14th of December to allow a successful commissioning of the mosque. We urge our people to comply with this very important directive.

"Similarly, we appeal to our people to also respect all the identified buffer zones, not only to ensure the cleanness and neatness of the immediate environment of the mosque but to safeguard obstruction of vehicular movement.

"Senators from the National Assembly to be led by the immediate past governor of the state and Senator representing Kwara Central, Dr Bukola Saraki, would along with other Nigerians grace the occasion."

AbdulGafar noted that prior to the renovation, the mosque was no longer a source of pride or a testimony of the great heritage of Islam in the ancient city.

"It was in fact, in a virtual state of decay. The mosque was generally dilapidated with visible structural defects like cracks showing on some of the columns, the concrete walls and the domes, causing profuse leakages in a number of locations.

He explained: "The glass mosaic finishes on the walls and marble floors were cracked or chipped off making the mosque look generally rough and unsightly. Similarly, all the auxiliary structure like the toilet building and the steel stanchions were either dysfunctional or completely bad.

"Within three decades, our proud heritage was virtually in ruins before our very eyes. This led to the community's decision to rehabilitate, remodel and expand the dilapidated mosque."