Three Yobe indigenes have emerged winners in the African Quranic Recitation Competition held in Kenya.

The winners, Mohammad Abdullahi, Sadiq Ibrahim, and Aisha Abdulmutalib, came first in various categories of the competition.

Governor Mai Mala-Buni, at a symbolic presentation of certificates to the winners in Damaturu, noted that they had made the state and Nigeria proud.

“Not only did they acquire the certificates, the recitation made by them were adjudged to be the exact recitation revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) right from inception,” he said.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Wali, the governor said the victory further confirmed that “Yobe is the cradle of Islamic knowledge.”

He added, “Since the Kanem Borno Empire, Yobe had been one of the renowned centres of learning. The headquarters of Kanem Borno Empire was in Birnin Gazargamu, now in Yunusari local government area. Therefore, the history of Yobe and Islam in Nigeria are inseparable.”

The governor charged the winners to study hard and ensure they mentor other students. Earlier, the chairman of the Quranic recitation competitions, Lawan Shettima, said the competition was organised by the United Arab Emirates, and the winners were part of 10 Nigerian representatives.

The winners are now qualified to participate in the upcoming global Quranic recitation competition to be held later in Dubai.

(NAN)