Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade has appointed an indigene of Kano, Alhaji Tanimu Hassan Rabiu as first-ever Special Adviser on Muslim Affairs in the seventeen states of Southern Nigeria.
LEADERSHIP reports that only Edo and Delta in the previous administrations appointed Special Assistant on Islamic Affairs. Other states domicile Muslims and Islamic matters under the ministry or department of religious Affairs.
Governor Ayade had during a meeting with some Muslim stakeholders after the victory reordered in his re-election promised to Promote the interest of the Muslims living in the state as a reward for their loyalty and peaceful cohabitation and support for his Government.
“I want to assure you that the interest of the Muslim community will always be protected because you have been part of us in Cross River State and by the time we start giving appointment, go and write it down that the Muslim will be given promotion with representation in my cabinet,” he said.
Fulfilling this promise Friday, Governor Ayade announced Tanimu’s promotion from Chairman of the board to Special Adviser on Muslim Affairs who will now advise him on all the Muslim Matters including the Pilgrim Welfare Board in Cross River State and beyond.
With the Appointment, Ayade record another first in history, being the First Governor to appoint Special Adviser on Muslim Affairs in Southern Nigeria.
Other Muslims Governor Ayade has appointed so far includes, Barr Musa Maigoro as Special Adviser Non-Indegen Affairs and Alh Rabilu Abdulahi as Chairman, Cross River Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board among other Muslim appointees.
Reacting to the appointment, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Muslim Affairs , Alh Tanimu Hassan thanked the Governor for his elevation.
According to him, the only thing the Muslim Community in Cross River State can do is to always pray for him and his family for a successful tenure as governor and to always support his policies and programmes in the State.
“I want to thank most Profoundly my Boss at all times, His Excellency, our Amiable and Digital Governor for finding me worthy to serve in this capacity as his Special Adviser and that the Muslim Community are with him across the length and breadth of Cross River State and beyond.
Culled from Leadership Newspaper
