The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra – The National Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has returned from a three-day visit to the Sokoto State of Nigeria where he witnessed the wedding ceremony of Fatima Abubakar, daughter of the Sultan of Sokoto.

He arrived in the company of his spokesperson, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Sunday evening at about 9.30 pm.

Sheikh Sharubutu made the trip upon a joint invitation from the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Wazir Tambuwal and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar who is also the President-General of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islam (NSCIA).

As the Special Guest of Honour, he was given the opportunity to offer special prayers in commemoration of the 63rd birthday of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and also close the ceremony which took place at the Sultan Muhammadu Bello Mosque on Saturday, August 24 2019.

The event was attended by dignitaries such as governors of states, Muslim clerics, business moguls, traditional leaders and Emirs from the northern part of the Federation that included the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who is the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi Lamido II.

Also present were the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Inspector General of Police together with a Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

The spokesperson of the Chief Imam, Sheikh Shaibu in a phone interview with a local newspaper disclosed that “the cleric was accorded a high-level courtesy by the state governor.”

He revealed that the chief Imam also embarked on a trip to the graveside of the legendary Othman Dan Fodio and also prayed at his mosque.

Sheikh Shuaib also expressed his amazement at the way Islam was practised in the Sokoto state with much simplicity.

“Besides the brevity of the Friday congregational prayer sermon, all remained seated after the prayer. A selected elder in the congregation was chosen to say a prayer during the session, something I find impressive” he said.

The visit above all, he said “rejuvenated the historical ties between the people of Sokoto and their Ghanaian counterparts.”

The Chief Imam was also accompanied by his Protocol officer, Alhaji Abdul Lateef Abdul Salam; Special aide, Alhaji Abubakar Osman Sharubutu; and Personal Assistant, Alhaji Khuzaima Osman.