Beyond Ramadan – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

Just like the five daily prayers, the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and Olms, another key Islamic injunction is Ramadan, which is a sacred obligation for every skilled Muslim fasting. These pillars of Islam guide the daily life and cult of Allah (SWT).

The Nigerian Muslims, in recent weeks, have joined over 1.9 billion of Muslim faithful all over the world in the observation of Ramadan. Ramadan’s main objective is to increase spiritual growth, approaching the members to Allah through fasting, prayer and the increase in acts of charity and good deeds.

In the state of Sokoto, the administration of the governor Ahmed Aliyu has undertaken several significant initiatives during Ramadan to support the least privileged, aligning with the religious component of the intelligent agenda to 9 points of his administration. These efforts underline the governor’s commitment to advance the propagation of Islam. The state of Sokoto, being the seat of the Caliphate, is clearly opening the way to guarantee the propagation of faith by the educated religious leaders.

By choosing to help Muslims in need in the state of Sokoto, the governor Aliyu shows his reputation as a caring leader who gives priority to the well -being of his people. In fact, the current economic challenges have made it extremely difficult for many Nigerian Muslims to observe this important religious duty. However, even in the richer nations, in responsible governments and in privileged people, by religious obligation, contact to help others perform their fast. This goes beyond poverty; It is an opportunity to collect the enormous prizes that derive from helping the poor and vulnerable to fulfill their religious obligation.

According to Tirmidhi, “Ramadan is a blessed and honorable month, and the prizes for charity are multiplied in it. The best charity is the one that is provided in Ramadan”.

Islam always preaches peace and is against violence or terrorism. It is a religion that encourages harmony between people, regardless of tribal or religious differences. As a Muslim devotee itself, governor Aliyu underlines the need to collaborate with all the interested parties to change the negative perceptions that some non -Muslims hold on Islam.

Since he assumed the assignment, the governor has undertaken numerous projects and programs aimed at strengthening and promoting Islamic propagation in the State. These include the construction of new mosques and Islamiyya schools, the renewal and carpet of many juma’at and other Masjid mosques, the installation of solar energy systems and the perforation of holes in different mosques. He also restored the monthly allowance for IMAMS, deputy imams and Muazzins, a policy originally introduced by the ex -senator of the governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, but interrupted the administration Aminu Tambuwal without justifiable reasons. These provisions were very supported by the poor during the sacred month of Ramadan.

While some traditions of Ramadan are specific to the regions and cultures, they all share the common practice of fueling the poor and engaged in acts of charity, which are fundamental for Ramadan. Studies confirm that Muslims practice greater generosity during Ramadan, observing it as an equally important obligation as fasting.

The governor Aliyu, next to his mentor and paternal figure, senator Wamakko and other generous people all over the world, intervened to support the needy, ensuring that they will fulfill their fasting obligations with ease and dignity. This follows in the footsteps of the prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), which was known for its generosity, especially during Ramadan.

Under the administration of dr. Aliyu, a key initiative was the awakening and expansion of the State Ramadan power program. While inaugurating the Committee to supervise the program, he underlined his administration’s commitment to expand it, increasing the number of feeding centers from over 130 in 2024 to over 150 in 2025. This expansion aims to decongest existing locations and improve accessibility for beneficiaries. The State government of Sokoto has provided for a budget of over N998 million for the 2025 Ramadan power program.

The program includes the distribution of corn bags and financial aid to leaders and religious institutions. The imams of mosques Juma’At received five sacks of corn and n100,000 each, while vice imams (Naibs) received three corn bags and n50,000 each. In Muazzins they received two bags of corn and n50,000 each. In addition, 300 Senior Islamic scholars received N200,000 each, while 150 Islamic organizations have been assigned n300,000 each. Malaman Zaure (10 per department in the 23 areas of the local government) received n50,000 each and another set of scholars received n100,000 each. This approach has been largely greeted as innovative and effective.

For governor Aliyu, each program must benefit from people. In addition to the food, its initiative Ramadan has also generated over 1,400 temporary works, in particular for women engaged in the preparation of meals for over 600,000 people in the power centers.

In addition to the feeding program, Governor Aliyu has implemented policies aimed at raising millions of citizens of Sokoto from poverty. His administration tries to change the narrative of the state of Sokoto as a state struck by poverty, a situation aggravated by the eight “wasted” of the government of immediate Tambuwal.

The complete efforts of the governor Aliyu reflect a profound commitment to support the least privileged and strengthening religious institutions in the state of Sokoto. By reliving and expanding Ramadan’s feeding programs, providing substantial support to leaders and religious organizations, renewing the places of worship, reactivating the Hisbah Board of Directors and involving the community, its administration exemplifies the integration of religious values ​​in governance. These initiatives not only breed the challenges faced by vulnerable populations during Ramadan, but also by forwarding the unity, peace and spiritual fulfillment throughout the state.

For the governor Aliyu, Ramadan also offers the opportunity to express gratitude to the people of the state of Sokoto for their unshakable support and prayers for his administration. It is also a moment for him to reide the execution of more significant projects for the general development of the state, in line with his intelligent agenda at 9 points, which gives priority to the well -being of people, the development of religious institutions and the promotion of peace and prosperity.

His efforts to cultivate a generation of citizens who will extend Ramadan’s generosity into their neighborhoods, consuming them to take part in the spiritual prizes of the gift – Deserted Lode.
Kerere Ibrahim writes from Sokoto