The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has in his Eid-el-Malud message, urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of honesty, love of one’s neighbour and unity that Prophet Muhammad embodied in his lifetime.
Prince Abiodun said unity and peace more than anything else should be the major concern of all Muslims and all overs of the will of God at the point in the nation’s history.
In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Mr Kunle Somorin, the Governor said: “I would like to appeal to all our brothers and sisters across all faiths to make the necessary sacrifices to sustain the country’s unity and peace.
“We all need to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, love and respect for one another which Prophet Mohammed espoused throughout his 63 years on earth.
“To this end, I urge you to be modest in their celebrations, exchange gifts and visits to homes of friends, associates or during this eid-el malud period, irrespective of their station in life or religious persuasion,” he charged.
The Governor admonished Muslim faithful that the festive period gives room for socialization and integration among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the nation.
Prince Abiodun further advised the rich to reach out to the poor so that the gap between ‘the haves’ and the ‘have nots’ can be minimised.
Governor Abiodun advised Nigerians to come together and address the issues causing insecurity, intolerance, corruption and where no one will be treated as a second class citizen in his or her country.
Meanwhile, Abiodun at the weekend reassured the people of the State that his administration remains irrevocably committed to providing a viable economy for the state and the individual prosperity of its people irrespective of their gender, status, location and religious affiliation.
He made this known at the installation and turbaning ceremony of the 11th Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Alhaji Muftahudeen Gbadegesin Ayanbadejo, held in Ijebu Ode on Saturday.
He said that the people of the state will always have a place in its building our future together agenda of his administration.
Abiodun noted that leadership had always been an important concept in Islam, saying that it is only God that chooses who he wants to lead the people.
“For us as a government, we are committed to providing a viable economy for Ogun state and the individual prosperity of our people, irrespective of their gender, status, location and religious affiliation. In fact, the place of the people in our administration’s building our future together agenda is not negotiable
“Let me observe that all along the history of Islam, leadership has always been an important concept in Islam, the fact is that only God chooses who he wills as leader and the quality of the leader will determine the development stride of the community at any time,” he said.
The governor while commending the Muslim community in Ijebu land for choosing and installing the eleventh Chief Imam, said that the new chief imam has been called to higher duty to Ijebu land, the state and humanity urging the new Chief Imam to improve on his leadership qualities.
The helmsman commended the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland for supporting the selection of the new chief Imam, adding that the rare leadership qualities of the Awujale, has not only endeared him to his people, but has ensured the discharge of quality leadership.
“Let me salute our revered father, for his support towards the selection of the Chief Imam, kabiyesi’s rare leadership quality, has not only endeared him to his people, but has also ensured quality leadership towards the continued social economic development of Ijebuland,” he said.
He noted that with the right leadership and the fear of God in the heart of leaders, the people will be led to perform their civic duties to the community, adding that Islam is a religion of peace that preaches the responsibility of the leaders and their followers.
“We also appreciate the fact that with the right leadership and the fear of God in our community leaders, they will readily lead the people to perform their Civic responsibilities and make their positive contribution to the development of the state, Islam is a religion of peace, which particularly preaches the utmost responsibility of both the leaders and the followers towards the peaceful development of the community,” he said.
Also honoured are alongside Alhaji Ayanbadejo are Alhaji Nurain Olakeu Eyinfunjowo, as the Noibul Imam of Ijebuland and Alhaji Abdul-Wahab Adeniyi Oleolo as the Chief Eketa Adinni of Ijebuland.