2024 National Qur’an Recitation Competition: Buhari Idris Emerges As ‘Overall Winner’

A memorizer of the Holy Qur’an from Kano State, Buhari Sanusi Idris, has emerged as the overall winner of the 39th National Qur’an Recitation Competition, which ended in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

Buhari got the grand prize in the prestigious apex category, which involved memorization of the entire Qur’an and the mastery of its different modes of recitation. 

He was honoured with the title of ‘Gwarzōn Shekara’ (Hero of the Year) by the Chief Host, Kebbi State Governor , Dr Nasir Idris, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yahaya Sarki noted that Buhari also went home with a brand-new car, ₦500,000 for fueling, a plasma television, and a Hajj slot.

In the female category, Rumaisa’u Dahiru Ibrahim secured first place in the senior recitation category, and she was honoured with the title of  ‘Gwarzuwār Shekara’ (Heroine of the Year)  by the First Lady of Kebbi State, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris.

Rumaisa’u also got a brand-new car, ₦500,000 for fueling, a deep freezer, and a Hajj slot.

Governor Nasir Idris expressed delight that Kebbi State  has hosted the competition after 20 years, attributing this milestone to the encouragement gotten from  the Sultan of Sokoto and other notable personalities.

‘This is a remarkable gathering of dedicated individuals united by their love for the Holy Qur’an’ Governor Idris said.

 He praised all participants for their commitment, describing their efforts as a profound demonstration of respect for the wisdom of the Qur’an.

The governor also highlighted Kebbi State’s ongoing contributions to the promotion of Islam, including the establishment of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the plans to rehabilitate and reconstruct over 400 Jumu’at Mosques and the proposed Ramadan breakfast feeding programmes across the state.

He also said his admnistration has enhanced welfare for pilgrims and improved Zakat collection structures.

The governor urged Muslims to reflect on the Qur’an’s teachings, emphasizing its role in fostering compassion, humility, and knowledge. ‘Let us make learning and applying the Qur’an’s wisdom a lifelong ambition’ he added.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, emphasized the need for unity among Muslims, stating that ‘In Islam, we are one family. There is no Darika or Izala, only our shared Islamic faith’.

He commended Governor Idris for sponsoring the event and praised Hajiya Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris, the wife of the governor for her efforts in promoting girl-child education. 

The Sultan officially invested her as Education Ambassador for the North West Zone to further champion the cause across the region while she also  received  honor from Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto and gotten named as ‘Khadimatul Qur’an’.

In her acceptance speech, Hajiya Zainab pledged to intensify her efforts in advancing girl-child education and expressed gratitude to her husband for his unwavering support.

The Guest Speaker, Professor Abubakar Muhammad Wali Argungu described the Qur’an as a cornerstone of peace, unity, and conflict resolution in society.

Sheikh Bala Lau, Leader of the Izala Movement, encouraged Muslims to use the Qur’an to uphold unity and reflect its virtues in their actions and words while Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi called on Muslims to pray for the nation’s leaders instead of condemning them.

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, who chaired the Local Organizing Committee, disclosed that the Kebbi State Government covered the cost of hosting the event, while private donations amounting to ₦8.6 million and ten cars were also received.

Professor Abubakar Yelwa Muhammad, Director of the Centre for Islamic Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, announced that 238 reciters from 35 states participated in the 8-day competition, comprising 125 males and 113 females.

Winners in various categories received cash prizes ranging from ₦1 million to ₦2 million. All participants and their coordinators also received ₦50,000 each from the Kebbi State Government-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you