THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2011
53
RAMADAN NEWS
Fayemi holds Iftar for Imams, others
E
KITI State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi last week had Iftar (Break fast) with eminent Islamic personalities in the state at Governor’s Lodge in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Fayemi, thanked the congregation led by the Grand Imam of Ekiti State Alhaji Suleiman Akinbami, and other Muslim leaders including the State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Olayinka Balogun. He said Ramadan is a special month which the Muslims look forward to make big requests from God. He prayed that God might grant legitimate requests of everyone and make amends in their lives and businesses. In a brief sermon before the Iftar, an Ekiti State University (EKSU) don, Dr Sikiru Eniola
From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti
and Sheik Keulere gave exhortations on Islam and Human Relations. Sheik Kuelere, who hailed the Fayemi for appointing Muslims to prominent positions in the State Executive Council and other political positions in the state, prayed that the Almighty Allah grant the State Governor all the desires of his heart. Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Mojeed Jamiu, who moderated the programme, noted that the governor chose the period of the Holy Month to gather Muslims not just to appreciate them as part of the community but to express support for them in the religious obligation of Ramadan.
Assist the less privileged, Muslims urges
P
OLITICAL leaders have been charged to assist the less privileged during the Ramadan as a mark of appreciation to Allah. Speaking during an interactive session in Lagos, Alhaji Ibrahim Alao –Megida said that was the only way to give the masses a sense of belonging. Megida, who is the co-ordinator, Mainland Independent Group (MIG) distributed rice, provision, bread and some gallons of kerosene to the Muslim community in the Mainland. He affirmed that he was prodded by the spirit of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola who were known for identifying with the less priviledged before and during the Ramadan.
•Amir (President) Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State presenting a gift to the former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Nurudeen Alao (second left) at the UNILAG Mosque. With them are MSSN Secretary, AbdulHakeem Odeduntan and Saheed Salman (left)
Muslims urged to show interest in politics, governance
D
EPUTY Chief Whip of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon Rotimi Abiru has urged Muslims to develop more interest in who leads them. He gave the advice at the Feeding, Fasting and Faithful Ramadan lecture he organised for his constituents at Igbehin Adun Primary School, Pedro, Bariga, Lagos. Abiru urged Muslims to always cast their votes for credible candidates. A lecture entitled Nation building and Islamic perspective was delivered by the Chief Imam of Lagos State House of Assembly Central Mosque,
By Oziegbe Okoeki
Alhaji Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem. AbdulLateef enjoined all Muslims to show interest in politics and governance and not shy away from it just because it is generally believed that politics is a dirty game. “You must come out and take part in politics so that together we can clean the dirt that is supposedly in the game of politics”, Abdul Hakeem said. Stating his reason for organising the lecture which has become an annual event since he became a member of the Lagos Assembly, Abiru said “the pro-
gramme is to bring Muslims together to seek Almighty Allah’s blessing because the month of Ramadan is a month of blessings when we pray for forgiveness and be our brother’s keeper. “It is also serving a dual purpose this time around. We just finished election, it is another opportunity to say a big thank you to my constituents that deemed it fit to give me a second ticket to represent them and also to let people know we have to be our brother’s keeper and do things to seek the favour of Allah”, Abiru said. Commending Abiru for the
yearly programme, Chairman of Bariga LCDA, Hon Sulaimon Akeem said apart from his legislative duties, Abiru has made it his responsibility to ensure that people are brought closer to God and has also “used this programme every year in sensitising and bringing us to our responsibility of nation building”, Akeem said. A member of the Lagos Assembly, Hon. Yishau Gbolahan (Eti Osa 11) said “the lecture is illuminating and it is good because it will remind us of our responsibility to serve which some of us tend to forget once we get into power”.