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Profile of the late Emir of Tikau
Profile of the late Emir of Tikau
By: Yahaya Wakili
The late Mai Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, was born into the family of the late Mai Abubakar Ibn Grema on August 21, 1951, and ascended to the throne of his father, the late Abubakar Ibn Grema, on July 21, 2001.
He attended Damboa primary school, Potiskum, from 1960–1963, and proceeded to senior boarding primary school, Potiskum, from 1964–1966, and from there he moved to Government Craft School, Maiduguri, in 1967–1969, and later moved to Gombe Teachers College for his Grade 11 certificate from 1970–1972.
In his commitment to higher educational pursuits, the late Emir left the classroom to obtain an NCE certificate from Advance Teachers College, Maiduguri, from 1977 to 1980, and he was among the 13th batch of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from 1981 to 1982. He proceeded to the University of Maiduguri from 1987 to 1990, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education.
The late Emir was a career educator, where he grew from a class teacher in 1973 up to school headmaster in 1977. From there, the late emir moved to the secondary level of education as a master teacher and rose to the rank of principal in 1998, and his education career ended in 2002 when he was appointed as the district head of Nangere. As destined by Allah (SWT), he was appointed as a second-class emir of Tikau on July 21, 2001, and on May 28, 2007, the late emir was upgraded to first-class status.
In line with the Yobe state government directive for the establishment of Zakkat and Waqaf committees in all the emirates in the state, the late emir was the first to establish the Zakkat and Waqaf committee with him as chairman in 2002.
The committee conducts an annual launching for the collection of Zakkat and Waqaf throughout the emirate. From 2002 to date, a total sum of $47,885,014.00k, with the highest donations of $4,681,200.00k in 2002, was collected and distributed to the needy.
Since his ascension to the throne in 2002, an additional 46 Friday Masjids have been built, while many of the existing Masjids have either been renovated or reconstructed. He also approved an improved condition of service for Imams and Na’ibs, with provisions for the distribution of the Holy Qur’an, regalia, and even financial support for house renovation.
Prior to the establishment of the Zakkat and Waqaf committee in 2002 in Tikau emirate by the late emir, many villages had no access to Islamiyya schools. From 2002 to date, the number of Islamiyya schools rose from 10 to 74 in 2023.
With regards to the enrollment of males, females, and teachers into Islamiyya schools, the emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, has increased their numbers to 2,185 for males, 4,617 for females, and 168 for teachers, amounting to 6,802 in 2023.
This record of achievements can be attributed to the firm commitment of the late emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, with the active support of his Zakkat and Waqaf committees in propagating Islam throughout the emirate.
The late emir is actively driving Da’awah activities in the emirate. The Zakkat and Waqaf committee, in collaboration with the Da’awah department of FOMWAN under the leadership of Malama Hauwa Idris Muhammad, has been conducting a series of lectures, practical demonstrations, and question-and-answer sessions on selected topics.
The late Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, received many merit awards, including many international and national awards. Kentucky Colonel Award by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States of America, 2005. Traditional Leadership Award by Development in Nigeria Merit Award (DINMA), People State and Resource, PSR Magazine 2008.
Others Merit Awards include: Chancellor, Yobe State University, Damaturu 2010-2020; Grand Patron, Yobe State Islamic Teachers Association 2011, Environmental Support and Protection Award, by Environmental Outreach Magazine, Bayelsa State; Award of Merit by Ummaty International Charity Foundation, Yobe State Chapter 2024; NANS Yobe Chapter, Grand Patron; and Hijra TV Ghana, Merit Award, 2023.
May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatur Fidaus. Ameen.
Profile of the late Emir of Tikau
UPDATE: Five dead, 35 injured in suicide IED attack on Gamborun mosque
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than five worshippers were killed, while 35 others sustained injuries on Wednesday following an improvised explosive device (IED) attack by a suicide bomber at a mosque in Gamborun area of Maiduguri, Borno State.
The incident occurred at about 6:15 p.m. during Magrib prayers when the attacker detonated the IED inside the mosque, which was filled with worshippers.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident, saying the explosion killed five persons on the spot and left 35 others with varying degrees of injuries.
Daso said the injured victims were immediately evacuated to hospitals in Maiduguri for medical treatment.
He added that men of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, alongside other security agencies, were deployed to the scene to secure the area, cordon off the vicinity and conduct thorough checks to rule out the presence of secondary explosive devices.
UPDATE: Five dead, 35 injured in suicide IED attack on Gamborun mosque
Bomb explodes inside mosque in Maiduguri market, worshippers killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Several worshippers were killed on Tuesday after an explosive device detonated inside a mosque at Gamborun Market in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The explosion occurred while worshippers were gathered for prayers, causing panic and chaos within the busy market area.
Eyewitnesses said the blast ripped through part of the mosque, killing some worshippers instantly and leaving others with varying degrees of injuries.
Traders and residents in the area were seen fleeing the scene as thick smoke billowed from the mosque, while others attempted to assist victims before emergency responders arrived.
Security operatives cordoned off the area shortly after the incident to prevent further casualties and to allow for preliminary assessment of the situation.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of casualties had not been officially confirmed.
Bomb explodes inside mosque in Maiduguri market, worshippers killed
Igbo Association Raises Alarm Over Abuja–South East Highways, Seeks Urgent Federal Action
By: Michael Mike
Igbo residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have expressed worries about the worsening condition of major highways linking Abuja to the South East, warning that continued neglect has turned the roads into serious safety hazards for commuters and businesses.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Igbo Community Association in the Federal Capital Territory (ICA FCT) said the poor state of the road network had persisted for decades, despite repeated appeals for rehabilitation.
The group in a statement signed by the association’s President General, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, and Secretary General, Mazi Emmanuel Chinwoke Onah,
noted that large sections of the highways are riddled with potholes, failed portions and weak security presence, making travel dangerous and discouraging economic activities between the North Central and South East regions.
The group argued that the situation reflects long-standing infrastructure neglect and an uneven distribution of national resources, adding that the dilapidated roads have become attractive routes for criminal operations, including armed robbery and kidnappings.
According to ICA FCT, the impact of the bad roads goes beyond transportation challenges, contributing to youth frustration, reduced commercial exchanges and a growing sense of exclusion among people of the South East. The association urged the Federal Government to declare an emergency on the affected corridors and begin immediate reconstruction to ensure the safety of travelers, particularly during the festive season.
The association also called on lawmakers from the South East and the Minister of Works to take responsibility for restoring the roads to acceptable standards, stressing that infrastructure development is critical to national cohesion and economic growth.
Warning of political consequences, the group said communities in the South East would hold their representatives accountable if tangible progress is not recorded before the 2027 general elections. It added that voters would be mobilized to oppose the re-election of lawmakers perceived to have failed in addressing the issue.
Reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of Igbo people, the ICA FCT said it would continue to advocate for improved infrastructure, enhanced security and equitable development across all regions of the country.
End
UPDATE: Five dead, 35 injured in suicide IED attack on Gamborun mosque
Bomb explodes inside mosque in Maiduguri market, worshippers killed
Igbo Association Raises Alarm Over Abuja–South East Highways, Seeks Urgent Federal Action
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