Pulse.ng : JNI Secretary-General Bags Sultan of Sokoto's Award on Peace Building

By Muhammad Tijjani

The Secretary-General of the Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI), Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, has bagged Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto's award on peace building.

The award, was presented by the Sultanate Council and other Muslim Organisations in Sokoto State, on Saturday in Sokoto.

A Professor of Islamic Studies with specialization in Islamic Jurisprudence, Khalid was recognised for his untiring efforts in promoting mutual coexistence and resolving many conflicts across Nigeria, including the Plateau state sectarian crisis.

As the JNI Secretary-General, Prof Khalid deliberately took measures to ensure that the conduct of Ramadan Tafsir in Nigeria was not abusive or targeted at creating disharmony in the society.

The awardee, who was described as a bridge builder and a peace advocate, has created awareness on many contending issues among the Muslim Ummah, such as giving appropriate religious perspectives on moon sighting during Ramadan and Eids.

He has also used his position as the JNI Secretary-General to douse many tensions in the country, and promoted peaceful co-existence among Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.

Prof. Khalid was among Muslim scholars from Nigeria who brokered peace with the junta in Niger Republic with Nigeria and the ECOWAS in 2023, when the bloc threatened to restore democratic rule in Niger.

Born and brought up in Jos, Plateau State, Prof. Khalid commenced his early education with a traditional Qur’anic Schools in Jos, and later attended a Night Primary School in Jos from 1966 to 1975, as well as Nizamiya Islamiyya Primary School from 1976 to 1978.

He continued his quest for formal education from 1979 till 2010, when he bagged a Doctorate Degree, and subsequently beacame a Professor in Qur’anic studies and Fiqh.

Prof. Khalid obtained a First School Leaving Certificate, General Certificate of Education, a Diploma in Shari’a and Civil Law, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arabic Studies, and also a Masters Degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies, as well as Ph.D in Islamic Studies.

He had worked briefly as an Assistant Registrar in the Plateau state judicial service, and was an instructor, a tutor, and lecturer at the University of Jos.

The awardee, who was once the Chief Imam of the University of Jos, is currently a lecturer with Kaduna State University, as well as the Secretary-General of JNI.

He is also a visiting Imam to Abu Ubayda bn Jarrah Mosque in Kaduna, and has founded many schools among which are the Night Islamic School and an Adult Women Education in Jos.

Some of those honoured at the event include former governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, the Emir of Argungu, Dr Samaila Muhammadu Mera, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, Sheikh Halliru Binji, Muhammad Lawal Maidoki and Alhaja Sekinat Olapeju Adekola.