Zazzau Emir lauds ABU for deploying experts to investigate collapse of Zaria ancient Mosque

His Highness, Malam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, the Emir of Zazzau, has acknowledged with appreciation the swift action of Management of Ahmadu Bello University to deploy a team of building professionals to thoroughly investigate the real causes for the collapse of the nearly two-century-old Zaria City Mosque. 

The Emir, particularly, commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, for raising a five-member team comprising architects, structural engineers and builders who used the teaching equipment of the institution’s Department of Civil Engineering to conduct the investigation into the collapse of the Muslims’ place of worship. 

It would be recalled that the Mosque, which was built during the reign of Malam Abdulkarim as Emir of Zazzau and leader of the Katsinawa Dynasty in Zazzau Emirate, collapsed during the Asr prayer on Friday, 11th August, 2023, killing scores of worshippers. 

Receiving the Management team of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, at his palace on Wednesday, 23rd August, 2023, the Emir explained that the Emirate would remain grateful to the entire University community for the gesture. 

The Vice-Chancellor read and presented a letter of condolence to the Emir on behalf of Council, Senate, Management, Staff, and Students of the University, saying that the losses following the collapse of the Mosque should be accepted as an act of God. 

Prof. Bala used the opportunity to equally condole with the Emir over the demise of His Highness’ Uncle, Alhaji Muhammadu Tukur Yero, as well as the death of former Sarkin Shanun Zazzau, Alhaji Salisu Muhammad, and the passing on of Mahadi Muhammadu Sakanau, a son of the prominent Zaria-based Muslim cleric, Malam Muhammadu Sakanau.

“On behalf of the University, I wish to express our deepest condolence to Your Highness, the Zazzau Emirate and the families of the deceased over these losses. 

“We pray to Almighty Allah to forgive their shortcomings, make Jannatil Firdausi to be their final abode and give the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the losses”, he concluded. 

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied to the palace by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ahmed Doko Ibrahim; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Danladi Amodu Ameh; Registrar, Malam Rabiu Samaila; Bursar, Malam Aminu Muhammad Bello Gurin; and Ag. University Librarian, Dr. Gambo H. Liman. 

Other Management staff on the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage were Director, University Health Service, Prof. Muhammad S. Isa; Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Malam Auwalu Umar; Director, Iya Abubakar Institute of ICT (IIAIIC), Malam Shuaibu Mohammed; Ag. Chief Security Officer, Malam Ashiru T. Zango; Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Malam Auwalu Yusuf Mohammed; and Ag. Director, Physical Planning and Municipal Services, Arc. Suleiman Mohammed. 

………………………..

Public Affairs Directorate, 

Office of the Vice-Chancellor, 

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 

Thursday, 24th August, 2023