Empowering Clerics: Soba Chairman Increases Imam Allowances for Greater Community Impact
In a pivotal move aimed at fostering greater cooperation between religious leaders and the local government, Hon. Muhammad Lawal Shehu, the Executive Chairman of Soba Local Government Area, has announced an increase in the monthly allowances for Imams of Jumu’at mosques within the region.
During a recent meeting at the Dahiru Maigana Secretariat, Hon. Lawal addressed the gathered clerics, shedding light on a critical issue he had uncovered upon assuming office: Imams had gone without their stipends for months, a situation he deemed unsustainable and unacceptable.
Reflecting on the hardships faced by the religious leaders, Hon. Lawal stated, “When I took office, I discovered that the chief Imams were receiving very low allowances and had even been deprived of their payments for several months. This was a situation that could not continue. While we have resumed paying them over the past two months, the amount was still inadequate, especially considering the current economic climate. Therefore, I have directed that their allowances be increased starting next month.”
In his speech, the Chairman also emphasized the crucial role Imams play in bridging the gap between the government and the community, particularly in communicating policies and fostering unity. He underscored the need to support these religious leaders with adequate incentives to continue their work effectively.
Further highlighting the importance of Imams in social harmony, Hon. Lawal urged them to use their sermons to address pressing social issues, including youth drug abuse, violence, and other societal ills, to promote peace and progress in the region.
On behalf of the Imams, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu Bagaldi, the Chief Imam of Sakaru Jumu’at Mosque, expressed profound gratitude for Hon. Lawal’s decision to actively engage the clerics in local governance matters. He assured the Chairman that the Islamic scholars of Soba would continue to play a role in advocating for peaceful coexistence and praying for the growth and prosperity of the local government.
