*Photo:Model of the new Al-Noor Mosque Complex being constructed at Wuse II, Abuja.*
By Abdulkadir Ahmed Ibrahim
The Custodian of Al-Noor Mosque, Wuse II, in Abuja, the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education, ICICE, has provided an update on the construction works and finances of the Mosque expansion project.
The construction works officially started with the laying of the foundation by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the launching of an appeal fund both held on April 24, 2021 (13th Ramadan 1442).
In an ICICE Annual Report that covered September 2021 to August 2022, the Directorate of Finance and Accounts of the Centre stated that Contract for the project with a completion period of 24 months was awarded to Lubell Nigeria Limited at an initial total cost of N3.15 Billion.
An additional information on the report explained that, as at 16th September, 2022, the coffers of the project had
about N2.164 Billion made up of N2.091Billion as cash donations, N22.420 Million net profits from investments and N50.362 Million as donations in kind (19,750 Bags of Cement @ N2, 550:00). There were outstanding pledges of N497.766 Million.
The Contractor has so far been paid N861.386 Million cash and supplied with Cement worth N50.362 Million.
About 5,000 Bags of Cement were donated by some people while BUA Cement Company donated the rest and pledged to continue supplying all the cements needed for the project.
The report added that construction work at the project site has been going satisfactorily even though there were some modifications in the design while Ramadan activities and rains have affected the speed of work.
On the installation and supply of CCTV (closed circuit television) and Public Address System, both pledged by an anonymous donor, the company engaged to provide these services has been working in tandem with the main contractor to ensure effective and efficient delivery services.
The same anonymous donor has also pledged to provide an E-Library facility to the ICICE free.
Another unidentified donor will also finance the Carpeting of the Mosque and the provision and installation of Lights systems.
Samples of the carpet have been selected and the donor has already placed an order and deposited money with the manufacturers.
The report of the Directorate of Finance headed by Malam Mustapha Badamasi Atiku, also revealed that ICICE is focusing to become
self-sustaint and enjoy financial independence, and as a model for other Islamic organizations in Nigeria and Africa.
In this regard, efforts made to diversify the sources of income include the registration of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to secure investments from interested parties for the establishment of a table water producing company, microfinance bank, print and electronic media houses and a housing estate among other commercial ventures.
An Awqaf (assets that are donated, bequeathed, or purchased for being held in perpetual trust for general or specific charitable causes) proposal will soon be forwarded to the Islamic Development Bank for a facility of about $5 Million for the purchase or construction of housing estate or shopping plaza.
Similarly, the new Al-Noor Mosque complex will include classrooms, meeting and lecture halls. Shops and Farmers’ market are also to be part of the facilities to be provided to support the mosque maintenance.
*Abdulkadir Ahmed Ibrahim, FNGE, is Special Assistant Media and Publicity to the DG and CEO of ICICE, Wuse II, Abuja.