Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Friday, handed over two mosques rebuilt by his administration to the Muslim community in Nsukka.

The mosques were destroyed during a protest that erupted in the area last year.

It would be recalled that Gov. Ugwuanyi, on the heels of the unfortunate crisis, immediately dispatched the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Hon. Cosmas Ugwueze and the security agencies to the scene to restore peace and normalcy, which resulted to no loss of life and minimal damage to property.

Ugwuanyi further directed the immediate rebuilding of the two affected mosques and consequently detailed the council chairman to liaise with the leadership of the Muslim community in Nsukka, to redesign and construct new mosques for them.

Handing over the rebuilt mosques to the Nsukka Muslim community, led by the Chief Iman, Nsukka Central Mosque, Alhaji Yakubu Omeh, on Friday, Ugwuanyi, represented by the Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Hon. Ugwueze, thanked God that the incident did not lead to any loss of life.

The governor thanked the Christian and Muslim communities for sustaining the existing peace in Enugu State, reassuring them of his commitment to continue to protect everybody resident in the state.

In a message of appreciation, Prof. Momoh Mumuni, representative of the Muslim Community, expressed gratitude to Ugwuanyi for rebuilding the mosques.

He said the governor has “shown high level of compassion, tolerance, resilience, dedication, commitment, bridge-building spirit; and has exhibited sincere passion for which we have known you since your days; and harbor no grudges against anybody living in your domain”.

The governor is “more of a father, brother, mentor and bridge-builder to us in Enugu State”, adding that “you (Ugwuanyi) have demonstrated unparalleled record for your kind gesture, by quickly putting together and deploying all your arsenal, energy, strategies and dragnets to ensure the avoidable crises that led to the miscarriage of annoyance to our worship place (mosque) did not reach the point of no-return”.

“We will continually pray for God’s wisdom, direction and strength upon you as you pilot the affairs of this great state. Thank you for extending your unreserved help to all kinds of people in the state irrespective of their state of origin, religion, belief and race.

“Despite the political jingoism and all forms of fragile environment, you remain much focused on the service of humanity all to the glory of God. What a perfect gentleman! What a trusted ally!! We sincerely appreciate you and God bless you sir,” he said.

The Muslim community equally thanked the Chairman of Nsukka LGA for the role he played during the incident, pointing out that he demonstrated wisdom and maturity in calming all frayed nerves.

In his remarks, the Chief Imam, Nsukka Central Mosque, Alhaji Omeh, also thanked God that nobody died during the protest and lauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for his prompt and rare intervention.

In his goodwill message, a Northern-based wealthy farmer, an indigene of Mbu in Isi-Uzo LGA, who recently relocated his farming business to Enugu State, Alhaji Sani Friday Nnaji, expressed delight at Ugwuanyi’s timely intervention, restating that it was because of the peace entrenched by the governor that he relocated a lot of his investments to Enugu State.

(Daily Trust)

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