The Emir of Zazzau in Kaduna, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, has praised Alh Abdulsamad Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group and founder of ASR Africa, for his generous donation of N2bn to fund the reconstruction of the historic Abdulkarim Central Mosque in Zaria. During the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Emir’s Palace, the Emir expressed both sorrow and hope, acknowledging the tragic collapse of the mosque, which claimed lives and shocked the community. He emphasized that rebuilding the mosque was a necessary step to ensure safety while honoring the memories of those lost.
The Emir also took time to commend several key individuals who contributed to the project’s progress. Special recognition was given to former Vice President Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo for chairing the technical committee and to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai for leading the fundraising efforts. His leadership and the support of local sponsors, including the people of Zaria and Nigeria, were vital in ensuring the success of this endeavor. The Emir highlighted that the safety of the community had always been the priority in making the difficult decision to demolish the old mosque.
Alh Abdulsamad Rabiu, in his address, emphasized the importance of the mosque, originally built in 1836, as a symbol of the region’s architectural and cultural heritage. Following its collapse in August 2023, Rabiu’s ASR Africa took on the task of rebuilding, with plans for the mosque to accommodate 2,000 worshippers across two floors, along with a large courtyard for an additional 5,000 worshippers. Other features of the new mosque will include an ablution area, a library, an ICT center, and office spaces to support its administration.