Sen. Lado organizes Quranic recitation competition in honor of Tinubu’s late mother

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Senator Basheer Garba Lado, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters has organized a Quranic recitation competition, also known as Musabaqa in Arabic parlance, in memory of late Hajia Abibatu Mogaji Tinubu, late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for her service to humanity while alive.

The competition, tagged; Abibatu Mogaji Tinubu Memorial Qur’anic Recitation Competition has already kicked off since April 21 in Kano state.

While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Lado stated that the competition is designed as a large-scale Sadaqatul Jariya (a continuous act of charity rooted in the Islamic tradition) of honouring parents through good deeds.

Sen. Lado explained that the competition began with screening exercises across the 44 local government areas of Kano State, drawing thousands of young Qur’an reciters.

The process, according to him, “ now continues with zonal rounds, leading to a state-level Musabaqa, and culminating in the Grand Finale on May 31st, 2025, at Meena Events Center, Kano.

“The most lasting gift you can give is not built of stone or gold. It is the Word of Allah, carried in the hearts of children,” said Senator Lado.

“This Musabaqa is a tribute first to Hajiyah Abibatu Mogaji Tinubu  a mother whose hands planted love and faith  but also to every mother who wakes her child for Fajr, who teaches Alif before Apple, who whispers du’a into the night,” part of the statement reads.

He disclosed that the choice of Kano for the competition was borne out of its longstanding legacy of Quranic excellence, adding that the state had produced global champions in memorization and recitation of the holy book, and holds a rich history of Islamic scholarship and devotion.

“Why Kano? A City Where the Qur’an Lives

Kano’s selection as the host city reflects its longstanding legacy of Qur’anic excellence. The state has produced global champions in Qur’anic memorization and recitation, and holds a rich history of Islamic scholarship and devotion.

“Kano is a city of heart and history. It is where I began organizing Qur’an recitation competitions years ago, and where the Qur’an is not just studied but loved,” Senator Lado added.

“It was only fitting that we begin here  before taking this movement across Nigeria.”

Lado explained that after the local government and zonal stages, top 150 finalists, including 75 boys and 75 girls would move on to the state-level recitation event.

He added that the candidates would be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges from Qatar, Egypt, Algeria, Malaysia, Sudan, and Senegal, alongside respected Nigerian scholars.

Winners, according to Lado, would eceive transformative prizes including residential housing units, sponsored Umrah pilgrimages, motor vehicles, motorcycles, and tricycles  Industrial sewing machines, cash prizes among others.

“The competition highlights the intersection of faith, social empowerment, and nation-building, reinforcing the message that the Qur’an is not only a spiritual guide but a path to dignity and opportunity,” the statement concluded.