Gombe govt unveils and inaugurates N269m mosque

A multimillion naira central mosque has been completed in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The mosque has 2,300 worshippers capacity and an additional 600 space to contain others, with women and library sections included.

Speaking on Saturday during the inauguration, Chairman of the Mosque Building Committee, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, who doubles as Secretary to Gombe State Government, noted the project for the reconstruction of the Central Mosque which was first constructed to fulfill the wishes of the Late Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto in 1968.

Njodi said the reconstruction of the mosque was borne out of a general concern and desire of the people of Kaltungo.

He said, “We felt that Kaltungo needed an ultra-modern mosque befitting of the emerging image of Kaltungo.”

According to him, the 16-member committee was constituted by the Mai Kaltungo in December 2017, adding that works on the site commenced in 2018.

“On the receipt of the design and bills to the tune of N250m, the committee engaged in aggressive fundraising efforts. This yielded sufficient results for the project to commence.

“The reconstructed mosque has the capacity for 2,300 worshippers. It has a women’s section, a library, and convenience toilets for males and females. The mosque has sufficient premises to the northern and southern flanks to accommodate an additional 600 worshippers,” Njodi said.

Also speaking, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ali Pantami, said that construction of a worship place, has rewards, adding that it was based on the teachings of Islam.

He said, “A mosque is not just a place of worship but also an institution of learning, a center for dialogue, orientation as well as rehabilitation, skills acquisition and community development.

“The first and second universities ever established in the world started from a mosque in Morocco and Egypt, hence, this reconstructed Kaltungo Central Mosque should not be limited to prayers and reading of the holy Quran.

“It should be used to ensure unity, community development, and a center where experts in business and other professionals will be used to positively engage the youths.”

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, called on people of the state to embrace tolerance and love for one another to allow for speedy development of the State.

The Governor called for continued support to his administration in it’s quest to provide needed basic infrastructure necessary for the socio economic growth of the State.

While commending the foresight of Mai and people of Kaltungo in initiating the reconstruction and remodeling the Mosque, Governor Yahaya also appreciated all those who contributed to the building project.