Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has tasked Muslim Scholars ( Mallams and Imams) in the state to intensify efforts in educating rural dwellers.
The Governor, who was speaking at the two – day seminar/ training organised by Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) for Juma’at Imams in the state, said most of the rural dwellers lack both western and Islamic knowledge, which is the main reason for the rising spate of insecurity in the state.
He further explained that for someone to be hardened to the extent of throwing mother and her baby into fire and stand to watch how they all burnt to death is inhuman and barbaric, adding that such a person is illiterate because he does not have the chance for education.
He challenge the Muslim Scholars to move out of the cities to villages and educate the people on Islamic knowledge, affirming that because they don’t preach what is expected, the people indulge in crimes of all sorts.
“I think if our Imams and scholars live in line with the tenets of Islam, there will be no problem at all. Also, the issue of educating those who live in the forest area which we find out are illiterate in both western and Islamic education is now more important.”
The Governor further pleaded with the organisers to step down the programme to local government areas, wards and villages so as to impact on everybody in the society.
On his part, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman, thanked the Governor for his support and commitment in handling the security situation of the state, expressing concerns over the killing and banditry activities, which according to him is the reason for the seminar so as to educate Imams for the need to unite and confront the common enemy.
The Emir added that the training will continue until they bring sanity to the religion especially the challenges of insecurity and drug abuse in the society, urging the national body of the JNI to also extend the same initiative to other states for better Nigeria.
