Radda: Islamic scholars deserve dignity, not prayer tokens

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has called for better recognition and sustained support for Islamic scholars, saying they should not be reduced to people who receive tokens for leading prayers, teaching and preaching.

The governor said Islamic scholars played important roles in religious education and community development and deserved dignity, consistent support and institutional recognition.

Radda made the appeal during an engagement with the District Head of Mahuta, Alhaji Bello Abdulkadir, Danejin Katsina, and other traditional rulers in Kafur Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the governor said, “Our Islamic scholars should not be treated as people who merely receive tokens for leading prayers, teaching or preaching. They deserve dignity, consistent support and recognition.”

He explained that his administration had introduced structured support for Islamic scholars in recognition of their contributions to society.

Radda also described visits to traditional rulers and community elders before political campaigns as an established practice of seeking their blessings, guidance and prayers.

“Whenever we embark on political campaigns and elections, our first point of call is our traditional rulers and community elders. We come to seek their blessings and prayers for the success of our activities,” he said.

The governor also highlighted the Conditional Development Programmes (CDPs), which he said were designed to strengthen traditional institutions and empower district and village heads to promote grassroots security, peace and development.

“Our traditional rulers are closest to the people and understand their challenges. These programmes are intended to strengthen their capacity to maintain peace and security in their communities,” he said.

Radda urged traditional rulers and political stakeholders to sustain their cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the Tinubu-Dikko political project as a collective undertaking.

Earlier, the District Head of Mahuta, Abdulkadir, commended the governor for strengthening local government financial autonomy and improving the welfare of traditional and religious institutions.

The traditional ruler, who said he had been involved in politics since 1999, including serving during the administration of the late Governor Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, said he had not witnessed leadership comparable to the present administration.

“I have witnessed different administrations since the beginning of this democratic dispensation. I was among those selected and sworn into political office during the administration of the late Governor Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

“From then until now, I have not witnessed leadership comparable to what we are experiencing under your administration,” he said.

Abdulkadir recalled that financial support for some religious responsibilities, which was previously about N200, had increased to millions of naira, describing the development as a major improvement in the recognition of traditional and religious institutions.

He, however, appealed to the governor to provide an office complex for the district administration, saying the absence of a suitable working environment had remained a challenge despite his 27 years of political involvement.

“We appeal to Your Excellency to assist us with an office complex to provide a suitable working environment for the district administration and improve our service to the people,” he said.

Also speaking, the Kafur Local Government Chairman, Hon. Surajo Bature, pledged the continued support of the people for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while commending the Radda administration’s interventions in infrastructure and social welfare.

Bature said the governor had consistently responded to issues brought to his attention by the local government.

“Whenever we bring matters requiring government attention to your notice, you have demonstrated readiness to respond. We appreciate these interventions and assure Your Excellency that the people of Kafur remain firmly behind your administration,” he said.

The delegation included the Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe; Director-General of the Tinubu-Dikko Campaign Council, Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa; Dr Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa; APC State Chairman, Dr Bishir Gambo Saulawa; Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; and Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji, among other government officials and political stakeholders.