National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations, NACOMYO has decried the inability of the present administration in Oyo State to fulfil its campaign promise of sustaining the public holiday, which the last administration introduced to commemorate Hijrah, new Islamic year.

Coordinator, NACOMYO, Oyo State Chapter, Alhaji Dawood Afolabi stated this at the Special Prayer and Lecture for the commencement of Hijrah 1442 held at Ibadan Central Mosque, Ojaaba.

He condemned the failure of the state government to also fulfil its promise made last year when the Deputy Governor,  Engineer Rauf Olaniyan represented the State at the celebration of Hijrah and promised that the holiday would be declared provided the day falls within the week as the development was the denial  of Muslims’ right.

“The withdrawal of 1st Muharram as work free day in the State is another indicator of tampering on the right of the Muslims.  However, we put our trust in Allah for a better deal”.

Alhaji Afolabi also lamented the second fiddle’s treatment to Muslims in the state in terms of political appointments despite the promise of the administration to be fair to all religions.

“It is disheartening that despite the promise of fairness and justice by the present administration and continued lip-service to same at functions, Muslims are still being treated with disdain in government appointments. The glaring marginalization in the composition of State executive and appointment into boards of tertiary institutions are instances of the injustice “.

The NACOMYO Coordinator also called for probe of the police on the escape of the prime suspect of serial murders in Akinyele Local Government from its custody as the excuse was untenable. 

“The escape of the prime suspect in the serial killings in Akinyele, Sunday Shodipe still baffles us. It calls for a thorough surgical operation in the security architecture of the State. We hereby demand for the probe of the unfortunate incident while the perpetrators are quickly brought to justice.”

Alhaji Afolabi also called on the Federal Government to address the various economic and security challenges that remained the bane of the development of the country.

“The Hydra-headed problems of corruption, insecurity, fake news, and of late, murder after rape still scare us in the face in the country. These and other impediments to growth and development seem to defy all known panaceas. We have no other option than to turn to Allah in true repentance to get relief.   

May Allah accept our pleas and grant us succour”.

He said the annual Hijrah celebration was organised in a low key this year as a result of ravaging coronavirus, which has wreaked havoc on the world.

“This year’s event is low key for reasons well known to all of us, Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the whole wide world. The virus has claimed lives, battered the economy, negatively affected congregational worships in Masajids, dashed hopes of intending Hujjajs and still affecting many. Over 50,000 Nigerians have been infected. We pray for the repose of the souls of the dead and healing for those still affected’.

In a lecture by one of the Imams of NACOMYO, Alhaji Tirimisiyu Ishola, he called on people to go back to Allah in fervent prayers for a lasting solution to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He enjoined people to do away with sin as the act remained the impediment to answering of prayers which “is responsible for the calamities ravaging the world”.

The Chief Imam of NACOMYO,  Dr Ashim AbdulAzeez. who led the special supplications. prayed for lasting peace in the country and the end to COVID-19 in the world.

The programme organised to commemorate Hijrah 1442 A.H was done in line with coronavirus safety protocols. 

Ridwan Fasasi.

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