Muslim community in Rivers state have reacted to Governor Nyesom Wike's recent statement that Rivers state is 100% a Christian state .
State Secretary, National Council Of Muslims Youth Organization,NACOMYO ; and President National Association of Ikwerre Muslims, Alhaji Akaraka Ibrahim Asuru in an interview with our correspondent said the statement of the governor Wike goes a long way to show that the governor does not posses the historical knowledge a
about the existence of Islam in the state. "For the purpose of clarity and better understanding, it is pertinent to go into archive.
there was the presence of Islam and Muslims in the state before the creation of Port Harcourt 1912. Even when Major Galway visited Elele in 1896, Mr A.B. Harcourt whose name was used in naming the present city of Port Harcourt, reported the presence of Muslims at Elele in large number. History has shown that Elele Central Mosque, being the oldest mosque was built before 1896.
Meanwhile, Chief Dikko who was the leader of the Muslims was appointed by the governor General, sir Frederick LordLugard as a warrant chief of Ikwerre Native court of Appeal that sat at choba. Among the early revers to Islam were some natives from Ibaa and Elele in 1902 which include Musa Banwo, Suleiman Otopo and Musa Wokah.
The above historical fact apart, it is rather starting to hear the governor make claim under reference in the face if over 120 mosque and Islamic schools in River state some of which are under the imamship of Rivers indigenes."
Alhaji Asuru also said that the above fact is just but a little insight into the falsity in the rather distorted claim without delivering into the presence of other religious group within the state.
about the existence of Islam in the state. "For the purpose of clarity and better understanding, it is pertinent to go into archive.
there was the presence of Islam and Muslims in the state before the creation of Port Harcourt 1912. Even when Major Galway visited Elele in 1896, Mr A.B. Harcourt whose name was used in naming the present city of Port Harcourt, reported the presence of Muslims at Elele in large number. History has shown that Elele Central Mosque, being the oldest mosque was built before 1896.
Meanwhile, Chief Dikko who was the leader of the Muslims was appointed by the governor General, sir Frederick LordLugard as a warrant chief of Ikwerre Native court of Appeal that sat at choba. Among the early revers to Islam were some natives from Ibaa and Elele in 1902 which include Musa Banwo, Suleiman Otopo and Musa Wokah.
The above historical fact apart, it is rather starting to hear the governor make claim under reference in the face if over 120 mosque and Islamic schools in River state some of which are under the imamship of Rivers indigenes."
Alhaji Asuru also said that the above fact is just but a little insight into the falsity in the rather distorted claim without delivering into the presence of other religious group within the state.
Nice report
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