By Adamu Yusuf
The General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, Kaduna State, Pastor Yohanna Buru, has honoured Sheikh Usman Mohammed Mai-Mota Gwalli, for dedicating more than five decades to Islamic education and training thousands of people.
Pastor Buru, led a delegation of Christian clerics to Sheikh Usman’s school, where they presented the recognition in appreciation of his contribution to Islamic education and community development.
Speaking during the visit, Pastor Buru said Sheikh Usman had spent over fifty years teaching the Qur’an, Hadith, Tafsir, Arabic and other aspects of Islamic studies to children and youths from different parts of Northern Nigeria.
He said many of those who passed through the scholar’s school had become Islamic scholars, Arabic teachers and lecturers in various schools, centres and institutions across the country.
Pastor Buru said the recognition was intended to encourage Sheikh Usman to continue his efforts towards educating young people despite his advancing age.
He described the scholar’s contribution as a significant service to humanity, saying people who dedicate their lives to educating thousands of youths deserve recognition and encouragement.
He added that the gesture was also part of efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen relationships between Muslims and Christians in Kaduna State.
Also speaking, Pastor Emmanuel John described Sheikh Usman’s contribution as remarkable, saying his commitment to Islamic education had made a lasting impact on generations of young people.
Responding, Sheikh Usman expressed gratitude to the Christian delegation for the honour, describing it as the first award he had received in more than fifty years of teaching.
He said he had trained more than ten thousand youths, many of whom are now teaching and lecturing at Islamic centres, schools and institutions across the 19 northern states.
Sheikh Usman said although he was advancing in age, the recognition had renewed his commitment to continue educating young Muslims.
He thanked the Christian clerics for the honour and prayed for God to bless their efforts towards promoting peace, unity and mutual understanding between Muslims and Christians.
