Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has restructured and expanded its National Executive Council (NEC), with the appointment of nine new officers.
Gatekeepers News reports that development followed decisions reached at the council’s General Assembly held in Abuja on Thursday, October 1, according to Abbas Jimoh, public affairs officer of the NSCIA. TheCable reports that the meeting was attended by Muslim leaders, including traditional rulers of the Islamic faith and chief imams from central mosques across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Under the new structure, Mahfouz Adedimeji was appointed deputy secretary-general (national), while Salisu Shehu was named deputy secretary-general (international).
Abeny Mohammed was appointed deputy secretary-general (corporate), while Bala Muhammad became deputy secretary-general (administration).
The council also appointed Umar Jibrilu Gwandu as national public relations officer and Hajia Sekinat Lawal as deputy public relations officer.
Other appointments include Mairo Mandara as development officer, Abdullahi Musa PenAbdul as deputy development officer (technical), and Fatimah Abdulkarim as family affairs officer.
The restructuring was approved by the General Assembly as part of efforts to renew and expand the council’s national executive structure.
The meeting was held under the leadership of Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and president-general of NSCIA.
At the assembly, the Sultan also called for religious tolerance, stressing that nobody should be forced to embrace Islam and that Muslims should respect the rights and freedoms of people of other faiths.
The expanded executive council is expected to strengthen NSCIA’s administrative structure and its coordination of Islamic affairs and engagement with stakeholders across Nigeria.
