…Imam prays for Tinubu, says his tenure will bring hope
Security at the National Mosque, Abuja was unusually tight for the Jumaat prayers on Friday as many had to queue up before going into the Mosque premises.
Not everyone made it into the Mosque proper as the gates were closed at some point denying many the chance to pray inside the Central Mosque . It was not clear if the gates were shut because of presidential presence or lack of space to accommodate people.But s worshippers shut out of the main Mosque expressed their surprise and frustration, hissed and puffed.
The unusual security was in the aftermath of some VIP presence including President Bola Tinubu, who was there for the Jumaat prayers and the wedding prayers for the children of Mohammed Bello Matawalle, Minister of State Defence
A press statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga said Professor Luqman Zakariyah, the officiating Imam at the Wedding Fatiha of the children of the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, on Friday, described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a father of all and prayed that his tenure would restore hope to the hopeless in society.
Prof. Zakariyah offered the prayers as President Tinubu attended the multiple wedding solemnisation at the National Mosque, Abuja, representing the Matawalle family.
The President of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, was also present at the event.
“We pray to Almighty Allah to give our President, who is representing all, the father of all the brides and the grooms, good health.
“We also ask Allah to grant our President long life, prosperity, and success during his presidency. We pray that his tenure will bring hope to the hopeless,” the Imam said.
Matawalle, who previously served as Governor of Zamfara State, gave out five of his daughters—Maryam, Safiyya, Farida, Nana Firdausi, and Aisha—in marriage. Five of his sons—Ibrahim, Abdul Jalal, Surajo, Bello, and Fahad—also got married.
President Tinubu received the brides on behalf of the Matawalles into the family.
The officiating Imam also beseeched Almighty Allah to bless the marriages, grant success to the couples in their life journeys, and bless their parents and grandparents.
State Governors, members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, Service Chiefs, members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other well-wishers witnessed the wedding ceremony.