Religion

Former Oyo REC Urges Nigerians to Desist from Ethnic, Religious Bias

By Web News 992

Only leaders with balanced knowledge, intelligence, courage and clear disposition can deliver the much-desired dividends of good governance to Nigerians.

The immediate past Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in Oyo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke gave the advice while delivering a lecture titled “Attaining Our Dream Nationhood: Nurturing the Youth for Decent Leadership” on the occasion of the annual state lecture commemorating Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary by The Muslim Congress, TMC Oyo State in Ibadan.

Dr Agboke, who pointed out that there was a need for Nigerians to know the true character of future leaders before attaining leadership positions, stressed that Nigerian youth, especially Muslims must possess good leadership qualities to take their rightful positions in governance.

While affirming that accepting Nigeria’s destiny as a multi-religious state with over 200 ethnic groupings was important for peaceful co-existence and a better nation, the former INEC REC in Oyo state urged Nigerians to desist from ethnic segregation and religious discrimination.

He tasked the youths to provide leadership in voter education, saying there would be no room for result manipulation or rigging during the coming 2023 general elections.

Dr Agboke called on well-meaning Nigerians and politicians to be more organized and to reduce the suffering of the masses.

In another lecture on the topic “Engendering Morality and the Sanctity of Life: The Islamic Model, the Grand Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organisations, OIC, Lagos state, Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shaafi’ maintained that nepotism is anti-Islam and called for unity of purpose among Muslims and other Nigerians to foster national development.

Sheikh Shaafi’ advised youths against cybercrime and other criminal activities, noting that adherence to Islamic tenets was a panacea to value restoration and challenges facing Nigeria.

The Islamic scholar, who enjoined parents to instil values in their children, advocated a review of the education curriculum for value reorientation and improved welfare packages for teachers.

He also advised Federal Government to find a lasting solution to lingering insecurity and economic hardship.

Earlier, the chairman on the occasion, Dr Munir Durojaye said the event was a good step to addressing challenges facing Nigeria and in fulfilment of Muslims’ responsibility for societal reformation.

 In an address, the TMC National Ameer, Alhaji Abdulwasi’ Bangbala read by Oyo State Wali, Alhaji Daud Oladosu said that the annual state lecture was to inculcate good values in youth and purge Nigerians of primordial sentiments and brainstorm for policy direction.

In a goodwill message, the All Progressive Congress, APC senatorial candidate for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr Yunus Akintunde hinted that his ambition was to work for upgrading of Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo and the only College of Surveying, Oyo to university. 

Dr Akintunde promised to ensure that constituents enjoy the results of purposeful representation in the Red Chamber.

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Abdurahman Abduraheem represented by the Permanent Secretary (Inspector General of Education, Oyo state), Mrs Faoziyah Oluokun said the state government reintroduced the teaching of Civic and Religious Studies in schools for value restoration.

Oyo State Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr. Kayode Odedokun represented by Deputy Director and Head, Planning Research and Strategy, Mrs Ajolayo Akande commended the TMC for organizing the programme in view of its significance to national development.

The event which had the theme “Restoring Our Pristine National Values” was attended by Oyo state Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal represented by Mr Zakariyyah Kunle-Sanni, the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abubakr Agbotomokekere represented by Imam Hassan Onibiyan, religious and traditional rulers as well as Islamic organizations across the state.

Nofiu Busari     

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Security

Prioritize the safety of people – TMC Charges Governor Makinde

By Web News 627

The Muslim Congress, TMC has called on the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to take the safety of lives and property as a top priority of his administration. 

This is contained in a statement in Ibadan signed by Coordinator (Waali), TMC, Oyo State, Engineer Daud Oladosu which followed three different crimes that happened between 10th and 12th February 2022 in the state.

The association believed that the major responsibilities of the governments at all levels are first to see to the safety and welfare of her citizenry, “hence, we as concerned stakeholders advise the peace-loving governor of Oyo State,  His Excellency, Engineer Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde to take the bull by the horns in stemming the tides of insecurities in our dear state”.

“The spate of insecurity in Oyo State has become a quagmire that seems to have evaded permanent solution in the recent times. These occurrences led to more than three different crises that have happened within a week in our dear state”. 

The statement listed among other crimes the Idi-Ape bullion van robbery which led to the loss of 4 lives as well as the alleged clash between hoodlums and members of Oyo State Park Management System at Oremeji-Agugu, Ibadan. 

“The lead among the scenarios was that of Idi-Ape bullion van robbery that claimed not less than four lives. Two policemen, a commercial motorcyclist, and Ustaz Mubarak Suleiman, a technocrat-cum-Islamic scholar and a personal aide to the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Professor Ganiyu Raji lost their lives in this ignoble incidents. There were dozens of people that sustained varying degrees of injuries at the robbery scene. Some of them are still receiving treatment in different hospitals within Ibadan metropolis without any evidence of welfare attention from the government”.

“Another set of crises brewed up among the hoodlums and the members of Oyo State Park Management System at Oremeji-Agugu which eventually snowballed to that of Soka, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The two fracases did not come to an end without having claimed two lives in the shootout between warring factions of the commercial transporter unionists”. 

The association suggested different security mechanisms to check the ugly trends of crimes and criminality in the state. 

“The security architecture of the state be reviewed and re-jigged so as to contain the current spate of insecurities in the state. His Excellency should call a security stakeholders’ meeting to ventilate pragmatic ideas on the security of lives and property in the state”.

“Government should bring to book all unscrupulous individuals igniting pockets of violence and insecurity in the state irrespective of political, religious or social affiliations of the individuals”. 

“The government should design a sustainable economic revolution among youths to strategically nip in the bud, the economic problems propelling youths into violence and criminal acts threatening lives and property in the state”.

“As a well-meaning Nigerian and number one citizen of Oyo State, we believe, our governor will pick whatever pragmatic from our recommendations and firm it up with suggestions from other quarters to give us a state worth living in. “Boode o dun, bi igbe ni’luu ri” (Where domestic challenges are overwhelming, it appears life isn’t worth it).” 

TMC commiserated with the Oyo State government and especially the family members left behind by the victims of the crimes and prayed to God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses. 

Ridwan Fasasi

Religion

Forget about secession – Oyo TMC Coordinator Charges Agitators

By Web News 810

The state coordinator, The Muslim Congress, TMC, Oyo State Chapter, Alhaji Daud Oladosu has called on agitators of secession to call off the agenda and embrace a united Nigeria.

He made the call at the 2020 Annual State Lecture of the organization entitled “Religion and Science for a COVID-19 Free World: Conflict and Confluence” held at Studio One, Broadcasting House, Dugbe, Ibadan.

Alhaji Oladosu who observed that the removal of oil subsidy would end corruption, called on government to ensure that the fund is used to renovate refineries and develop infrastructure.

Alhaji Oladosu maintained that there is need for Nigerians to be patriotic as God is pleased to allow the nation exist for the past 60 years.

In a remark, the Zonal Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan Zonal Station, Alhaji Mohammed Bello represented by a Manager News and Current Affairs, Alhaji Ridwan Fasasi, recognised the constant patronage and sustained partnership between the FRCN and TMC, urged the congress to continue to enlighten Muslims and other Nigerians on contemporary issues.

Funmilayo Obagbayegun