– The economic recession in Nigeria and other parts of the world was ordained by God, the Sultan of Sokoto has said

– He said this as activities for his 10th coronation anniversary commenced with the distribution of items on Wednesday



– The monarch asked for more beneficial measures to be taken by the government to cushion the suffering of Nigerians

The Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III said the economic recession Nigeria is currently going through is ordained by God.

Speaking in Sokoto on Wednesday, November 2, the president general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) said the recession being experienced in other parts of the world is also ordained by God, The Nation reports.

"The only solution to this is for us to show piety and repent. It is ordained by God," the Sultan said.


former vice president Atiku Abubakar visits the Sultan of Sokoto

Items worth N9 million were shared out to 270 widows, orphans and other indigent persons as part of activities marking the monarch's 10th coronation anniversary.

The Sultan urged Muslims and Christians to live their lives according to the laws of their holy scriptures.

He called on the government to take measures that will cushion the suffering of Nigerians.

Showering praises on the monarch, Governor Aminu WaziriTambuwal of Sokoto state said he was an "epitome of peace, unity and a bridge builder in Nigeria and beyond".

The Emir of Kano Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II also described the Sultan as a father to all Nigerians, both Muslims and non-Muslims.

In a congratulatory message, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state said the monarch had contributed significantly to the unity, peace, progress and development of the country.

"The Sultan's reign has brought unity and peaceful co-existence and greatly reduced mutual suspicion and tension amongst people from different religious and ethnic divide. He has been able to sustain and enhanced the status of the throne and wielded influence that transcends the country's borders," he said.

Abubakar was appointed as the Sultan of Sokoto on November 2, 2006 to succeed his senior brother, Sultan Muhammad Maccido who died in a plane crash at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

He is the 2oth Sultan and Titular ruler of the Sokoto Caliphate and the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims.