300 men, women to participate in Quranic competition

Gov. Sani Bello of Niger State.

A total of 300 young men and women are participating in the 31st edition of the Annual Qur’anic Recitation Competition holding in Suleja, Niger State, Gov. Sani Bello of Niger said on Sunday.

Bello, who said that the 25 local government areas of the state presented 12 candidates each for the competition, urged them to imbibe the true teachings of Islam for the overall development of the society.

He said that the government was working toward integrating Islamic and Western system of education for a better society.

He added that “we are working out modalities for a committee to be set up with the mandate of integrating the Quranic school system with the western educational system so as to harness the potential of the two in the development of society.

“We all need to, at this stage, partake in extensive public enlightenment and advocacy to enable the people to appreciate the importance of this integration in the overall interest of the state and society at large.”

Bello, who was represented by his aide on religious affairs, Alhaji Tanko Ahmed, pledged his administration’s commitment to provision of quality education to the people of the state.

The Emir of Suleja, Malam Awwal Ibrahim, also urged the participants to comport themselves with decorum during the competition.

He said their attitude at the event was also a show of the knowledge of the essence of the competition.

“The gathering of people of knowledge should always be a thing of joy. We are happy that once again Suleja is chosen for the third time to host this statewide competition in my domain.

“The comfort and security of participants in this event continue to be our priority during and after the event. We will ensure that the Suleja hospitality serves as good example to other hosts,” he said.

The competition opened on Sunday, to be rounded up next Saturday.