Gov. Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, in his speech, said that the renovation and expansion of the mosque became necessary because the Central Mosque was fast deteriorating.
According to him, the mosque was the best in the nation in the 1970s when it was built, but has since remained a shadow of itself.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar III, urged the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr Olusola Saraki, to ensure the completion of the renovation and expansion within the next 12 months.
In his closing remarks, Dimeji Bankole, Speaker, House of Representatives, challenged Muslims to adopt a peaceful propagation of Islam.
During the fundraising, the chief launchers, Alhaji Aliko Dangote donated N75 million, Mr Femi Otedola N80 million, Niger State N32 million while Sokoto, Nasarawa and Kogi donated N20 million each, among others.
Governors of Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kogi, Kano, Nasarawa States attended the ceremony.
