Former Zongo Minister honoured

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Petroleum (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has assured zongo communities that his new appointment will not end his relationship with them.

He said brotherhood in Islam was stronger than any other affiliation on earth, hence his commitment to work with the zongo chiefs for the ultimate development of the zongo communities in the country.

“I promise you that I am going to uphold this relationship, and even at the NPA, whatever resources there is that I can marshal for the development of the zongo communities within the acceptable limits of the law, I will continue to support you,” Dr Abdul-Hamid said after he was honoured by the National Council of Zongo Chiefs for his contribution to the development of zongo communities during his tenure as the Minister of Zongo and Inner Cities Development.

Dr Abdul-Hamid was presented with a citation and a plaque by the National Council of Zongo Chiefs.

Commendation

Shortly after receiving the citation, Dr Abdul-Hamid said: “Wherever Allah puts me, and I am asked on the day of judgement about how I shepherded the zongo communities, I know now that I have worthy witnesses who will testify for me in front of the Almighty God.

“I am very grateful to them for the recognition. Sometimes it is very difficult for people to acknowledge when people do well. It is very easy for people to find faults but it is not very easy for people to acknowledge the good that people have done.

“So for them to openly acknowledge and say for themselves the work that we have done in developing the zongo communities, I am truly grateful.”

He noted that human capital was critical to the development of the zongo communities, and urged the youth in the zongo communities to pursue education.

Honour

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the council, Chief Alhaji Imoro Baba Issa, explained that Dr Abdul-Hamid utilised his position to promote Islam in the zongo communities and to imbibe confidence in the zongo youth.

“The work he did for our zongo communities was tremendous and we, as a council, decided to honour him,” he said.

Some of the projects highlighted by the PRO included the building and renovation of classroom blocks, mechanised water systems, rehabilitation of access roads in the zongo communities, skills training for the youth, among others, adding that “these are legacies which will stand tall for our brother”.

Present at the ceremony were the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zongo Development Fund (ZoDF), Arafat Sulemana Abdulai; the acting President of the National Council of Zongo Chiefs, Sarki Yusif Fanyinama III, among other chiefs.