Supreme Council of Muslim Community Urges Abia Gov’r to Review Cattle Business Revenue Formula

From Umar Dankano, Yola

The Vice President General of the Supreme Council of Muslim Community, Eastern States, His Royal Highness Dr. Eze Aliyu Musa, has appealed to the Abia State Government to revert to the previously established revenue-sharing formula for proceeds from the cattle business.

Dr. Musa made the appeal in Yola during a condolence visit to the Lamido Adamawa, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, over the demise of his brother and former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, late Ahmed Aliyu Mustapha, who passed away in early September.

He noted that the Muslim community in the eastern states has long enjoyed cordial relations with the Adamawa Emirate, fostering economic growth through cattle trade from the North East to the South East.

Dr. Musa lamented the current arrangement where 60 percent of cattle trade revenue goes to the Abia State Government, while Ummunahi Local Government Area, the Igbo Muslim Community, and the Fulani/Hausa Community share 40 percent. He described the system as bureaucratic and no longer in practice, urging for a return to the old formula.

The royal father and cleric further appealed to the Lamido Adamawa to intervene in the matter.

“We urge Your Royal Highness, as a father, mentor, and national religious leader under the Modibbo Adama dynasty, to kindly engage relevant stakeholders so that the revenue sharing can be restored in the interest of fairness and justice,” Dr. Musa pleaded.

In his response, the Lamido Adamawa expressed gratitude for the condolence visit and appreciated the Igbo Muslim Community for their role in promoting Islam in the South East. He noted that their efforts strengthen unity, love, and religious freedom as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.

The Lamido also announced a personal donation of N1 million to the Igbo Muslim Community under the leadership of Dr. Eze Aliyu Musa.