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ASR Africa has commenced the reconstruction of the Mallam Abdulkarim Jummat Mosque in Zaria. This historic event was organized by the Zazzau Emirate Council, under the leadership of the Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Mal. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli CFR, LLD.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a remarkable journey and has distinguished personalities in attendance including the Chairman of ASR Africa and BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, royal fathers, Government officials, the Zazzau emirate council, and public members.
The Governor of the State, His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani who was the host of the event acknowledged the presence of the royal fathers present, especially His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, as well as other special guests of honor including Abbas Tajudeen GCON, Speaker of the House of Representative, Mallam Balarabe Abass Lawal, Honourable Minister for Environment and Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu CFR, CON, Chairman ASR Africa, and the BUA Group.
Left: MD/CEO, ASR Africa, Dr. Ubon Udoh; the Emir of Moriki, Zamfara State; the Emir of Zazzau, His Highness, Mal. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli CFR, LLD; the Governor of Kaduna State, H.E. Senator Uba Sani and the Speaker of the House of Reps, H.E. RT Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD during the groundbreaking ceremony in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The Governor expressed immense appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the reconstruction of the mosque and prayed for the blessings of the Almighty Allah on them. He added that the edifice will serve not just as a place of worship but will attract tourists to the State. The Emir of the Zazzau Emirate Council, His Highness Mal. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli acknowledged the effort of all committee members who have worked tirelessly towards the reconstruction of the edifice. He specially thanked the Chairman of ASR Africa for taking up the huge financial responsibility of the reconstruction of the mosque.
This architectural edifice was initially built in 1836 and was a testament to the rich history and architectural heritage of the region. Upon the collapse on August 10th, 2023, the Chairman of ASR Africa, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu took up the reconstruction of the mosque to give a new significance to the region. The mosque will accommodate a total of 2,000 worshippers on two floors, with a large courtyard space accommodating an extra 5,000 worshippers. Other facilities will include an ablution area, a library, and ICT center office spaces to provide administrative support to the mosque.
Other guests present at the event praised the Chairman of ASR Africa for his generosity and prayed for more persons to emulate his kind gesture towards humanity.
ABOUT ASR AFRICA
The brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called on Julius Berger to show corporate patriotism by accepting the Federal Government’s approved reviewed total contract sum of ₦740, 797,204,713.25 for the completion of the rehabilitation of the 82 km section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road.
This call was made during the courtesy visit of the new Managing Director of Julius Berger, Dr Pier Lubasch, who was accompanied by the outgoing Managing Director, Dr Lars Richter to the Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Umahi lamented that the delay in mobilizing to the site despite the approved funds by the Federal Executive Council was causing untold hardship to the road users and that the Federal Government is at the receiving end of the situation.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uchenna Orji and made available to DAILY POST.
The statement read, “So if Berger is not doing it, then let’s have other people do the job and within the time that we can control price. We’ve had more than 20 letters from Berger on this. It is a ping pong game from Julius Berger. The prices rose from ₦710 billion to ₦740 billion. lf we continue the delays, it is the problem of the Ministry of Works.
He expressed dismay that Julius Berger, which has had years of patronage by the Federal Government and sub-national governments, is not realistic in the contract pricing, especially at this time of Nigeria’s economic challenges.
He urged the contractor to within 7 days accept or reject the approved reviewed contract sum for the completion of the rehabilitation of section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road or face contract determination as the Federal Government cannot be held to ransom by the desire for unrealistic pricing and augmentation by contractors.
He said, “This offer is not subject to any condition. It’s not subject to any condition that is being dished out here. It’s taken as given after more than 14 months. I’m sorry, I have to sound this way because there must be an end to negotiation. If anybody says there shouldn’t be an end to negotiation, then that person is not a business person. If you have negotiated for 14 months without any result, you should terminate the negotiation.”
While welcoming the new Managing Director of Julius Berger, Umahi reiterated the need for construction companies working with the Federal Ministry of Works to prepare to make sacrifices in terms of value for money and realistic contract pricing to encourage the much-needed road infrastructure revolution for the nation’s economic transformation which is a cardinal agenda of the Renewed Hope administration led by BolaTinubu.
The new Managing Director promised to revert as soon as possible on the issues sought to be addressed and hoped that consensus would be reached for the project to take off without further delay.
The outgoing Managing Director, however, noted that the essence of the courtesy call to the Minister of Works was to introduce the new Managing Director of the company.
The Kaduna State Security Council, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, has relaxed the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed on the State capital and Zaria cities.
The governor said after a thorough review of the security situation in both Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan towns and environs, the council unanimously agreed to relax the 24-hour curfew by 10 hours – from 8am to 6pm each day beginning from Thursday, August 8.
Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement late Wednesday night, said by the review, the curfew will now be in effect from 6pm to 8am daily.
The statement further said the security forces will continue to vigorously enforce the curfew from 6pm to 8am, and will be decisive in confronting actions which may lead to a breakdown of law and order during periods of movement as well as restriction.
“This implies that citizens may move freely and carry out their legitimate activities between 8am and 6pm, and will revert to the curfew from 6pm to 8am
“The Kaduna State Security Council reiterates its total commitment to the peace and security of the State, and will continue to take all steps deemed necessary for their preservation.
“This is with effect from tomorrow, Thursday 8th August, 2024,” the statement said.
The Kaduna State Security Council has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities of the State with immediate effect following the outbreak of protests on Monday.
In a statement issued by the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the State government advised citizens to remain indoors while security forces continue to work to maintain safety and security.
The statement said there was sufficient evidence to clearly indicate that the ongoing protest has been hijacked by criminal elements who have resorted to looting of shops and destruction of private and public property.
“The Kaduna State Security Council under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, following a review of the security situation in the State, hereby notifies citizens of the following:
“In view of this unfortunate development, the Kaduna State Security Council has unanimously resolved to impose a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria Metropolises and environs with immediate effect. Monitoring will be sustained for review of the curfew as required,” the statement added.
As the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests enter the second day on Friday, protesters in Zaria, Kaduna State, have barricaded major roads and restricted vehicular movement in the ancient city.
The youth groups were seen stationed at strategic locations on the major roads to prevent the movement of vehicles. The main road from Zaria city to Kofar Doka to Agoro junction was blocked.
Also, vehicular movement was barred on the road from Kofar Doka Roundabout to Dan Magaji junction, but attempt to prevent Army vehicles at Kofar Doka almost caused chaos save for the quick intervention of some leaders among the protesters.
Meanwhile, shops and other business centres remained closed and under lock and key as well as market places across Zaria town as the protesters have, however, eased human movement to allow attendance of Friday prayers by Muslim faithful.
LEADERSHIP reports that the protests on Friday were peaceful, but the number of protesters was less than what was recorded on the first day on Thursday.
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