By: Oluwatosin Adesola
….Aketi’s Commissioner, Ondo APC Chair, others attend lecture.
An Ondo based renowned Islamic Scholar, Shiekh Abdulrafiu Ajiboye-Lagbaji has cautioned Yoruba people against actions or agitations that can threaten corporate existence of Nigeria.
He advised yorubas should devise better means of producing the president of the country rather than agitating for Oduduwa Republic.
Sheikh Lagbaji who gave the advice in Akure while delivering annual Ramadan Lecture of NASFAT Akure branch, said there were great benefits for Nigeria to remain as one country despite various challenges currently confronting the nation.
Speaking on a topic, “After Every Difficulty comes Relief”, he noted that the call for Yoruba nation was not the answer to the people’s problems but it would rather compound the suffering of the masses.
The Famous Islamic Preacher expressed optimism that Yorubas have contributed immensely to the growth of the country and would reap the fruit of its labour politically.
Sheikh Lagbaji enjoined Muslims to pray fervently in this holy month of Ramadan to enable them to overcome their individuals difficulties and for Nigeria to conquer her predicaments.
The Chairman of NASFAT Akure branch, Alhaji Sulaiman Olalekan Bello said the annual ramadan lecture was organized to reawaken spiritual obligations of Muslims during this holy month of ramadan.
Bello opined, “It is also one of the Five Pillars of Islam and a period when we are encouraged to give to charity, strengthen our relationship with God, and show kindness and patience.
“It creates an opportunity for Muslims to engage in self-control, divert focus from worldly pleasures to activities that enhance spiritual development. For most people, these activities need guidance from those who are more knowledgeable. This is one of the reasons why NASFAT undertakes continuous programmmes aimed at educating our congregation.
“In line with one of the objectives of educating our members and the Muslim Ummah in general, NASFAT devised several programmes during Ramadan, part of which is the Annual Ramadan Lecture Series.
“Today’s lecture is the 21st and the first after Coronavirus disease (COVlD-19) lockdown. Despite the Iockdown, we strived to ensure that the lecture series and some other programmes for 2020, held. Most of our programmes were done in such a way that none of the COVlD-19 protocols was broken.
“Our Ramadan lecture during the Iockdown, which was the zoom edition with the theme: “Allah is sufficient for us and an excellent trustee is He”, was done on-air and online. Iftar was distributed as raw foods against our usual way of gathering for Tafseer and breaking our fast together. Today we are once more able to revert to having our physical Ramadan Lecture series, Alhamdullilah.
“This year our theme is: “After Every Difficulty, Comes Relief”.0urfocus remains on completing our secondary school project, which in the past few years has been providing high-quality secondary education to our children, as well as employment to some of our youths. The secondary school which we hope will provide our children with the excellent backgrounds needed to be a success in the higher institution is still at the nascent stage.
“Many things still need to be put in place. The school hostel project is ongoing. The school fence is yet to be completed while the building of a befitting school mosque is yet to begin. Also, the school bus which we plan to employ for conveying our children to and from their homes of they desire to be day students has not been purchased yet. l enjoin you all to support these projects,” Bello said.
In a remark, the Ondo state Commissioner for Lands & Infrastructure, Engr Raimi-Olayiwola Aminu, who chaired the occasion, urged nigerians to be more closer to God at this trying period.
Engr Aminu said Nigerians should learn how to still thank and appreciate God despite numerous challenges.
“We value His benevolence and are immensely grateful to Him. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual devotion where Muslims increase their efforts to be a better version of themselves.
“It is a period where we use the power of fasting to contain our excesses to avoid wrecking ourselves. It is a period during which we learn to restrain ourselves instead of being over indulgent. As such it is a month of self-reflection and mental self-flagellation with the hope of gaining further insights into our faith and emerging better persons.
“There is no doubt that these past few months have been difficult for most people especially the period which was brought about by the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Iockdown. During this period, we could not open our businesses and yet have to feed ourselves and our family.
“But, Alhamdulillah, things are beginning to brighten up once again for most people and it is no surprise to me that NASFAT has decided to choose the topic “After Every Difficult Comes Relief”. This is something we can always think about and take solace from, every time we find ourselves in any difficult situation,” Engr Aminu said.
The NASFAT Ramadan lecture was witnessed by the Chief Imam of Akureland, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Yayi-Akorede and the APC Acting Chairman in the state, Ade Adetimehin; the Commissioner for Lands & Infrastructure, Raimi Aminullah, former Commissioner for LG & chieftaincy Affairs, Lola Fagbemi; former commissioner for lands and Housing, Hon Fatai Olotu and former Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban development, Hon Rasheed Badmus, as well as the Chairman of the Muslim Welfare Board, Alhaji Sikrullah Adams Chandy among others.
