Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi State, has donated N100 million to the Hisbah in the state for tackling societal vices, as part of the Islamic moral police’s 20th anniversary.
The donation was announced on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi by Mr Bagudu during fundraising for Hisbah as part of activities to mark its 20th anniversary.
The Islamic police was hoping to raise N120 million for its services.
Mr Bagudu said that the money was jointly contributed by the Kebbi government, House of Assembly and the 21 local government councils in the state.
“We have to acknowledge the immense contribution of Hisbah to instilling moral values into the citizenry. The contributions include partaking in social welfare services and, fighting societal ills such as alcohol consumption and prostitution, resolving marital disputes, among others,” the Kebbi governor explained.
He added, “The group has been in the forefront of preventing crime and criminality in the society. In view of its proactive approach to the prevention of social vices and crime, the incumbent administration has co-opted Hisbah into the security machinery of the state.”
Mr Bagudu commended previous administrations for establishing and sustaining the Hisbah and praised its leaders and members for their perseverance in discharging their duties, NAN reported.
The secretary to the state government, Babale Umar-Yauri, whose office supervises the Hisbah, said the committee had performed meritoriously in the last 20 years.
“These achievements include closure of beer parlours, abodes of prostitutes, rescuing abandoned children and newly born babies as well as other activities of charity, which are the hallmark of the operations of Hisbah in the state,” he said.
Mr Umar-Yauri thanked the Kebbi governor for sustaining financial support to the Hisbah and shouldering the cost of organising the 20th-anniversary celebration.
The acting Grand Khadi of Kebbi, Dr Muhammad Argungu, described the celebration of the achievements of Hisbah in the 20 years of its existence as a moment of pride.
“The Hisbah has made a significant contribution to sanitising the society and removing things inimical to the health and wellbeing of the people,” Mr Argungu said.
He commended the governor for his fatherly care for orphans in Kebbi.
The Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Bashar, reaffirmed the commitment of the Gwandu Emirate Council to support and cooperate with the Hisbah committee in its societal reformation, in consonance with Islamic values.
The emir advised the populace to support the Hisbah committee to effectively discharge its duty of cleansing the society of all vices.
Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, acknowledged Hisbah’s performance, saying it has helped reduce alcoholism and prostitution in Kebbi.
Mr Malami, who chaired the occasion, advised Hisbah to focus more on tackling the consumption of other intoxicants among the youths and donated to the Islamic moral police.
The justice minister donated N5 million to Hisbah.