2nd August, 2011
After much expectations, the holy month of Ramadan is here. For our Muslim brothers and sisters, the Ramadan represents a period of abstinence from sins. It is a period of penitence. It is a time when all true Muslims abstain from food and drink for a certain period of the day for 29 or 30 days.
For all true believers, the fasting period is a time of prayers and forgiveness. It is a time to confess our sins before Allah and seek forgiveness. During this period, true adherents of the Islamic religion are expected to shun all forms of vices and seek the face of Allah.
There is this belief that anything one asks from Allah at this period will be expressly answered.
As expected, our leaders have been coming out with their homilies, asking the faithful to rededicate their lives to the service of Allah and shun ostentatious lifestyles.
In this respect, we call on the leaders of the Boko Haram to sheathe their sword and dialogue with the authorities to resolve their problems.
There are many lessons to learn from this period by both the leaders and the followers. The leaders should lead by example and display piety. Those in authority should come to terms with their responsibility and have the fear of God at heart.
This is the time for them to seek forgiveness from Allah for the things which they have left undone and that have contributed to the hardship being experienced by Nigerians. Our leaders should seek Allah’ to give them the grace to meet the yearnings of the people.
If they don’t know, a lot of people are suffering on account of their poor leadership. Their inability to correctly identify what the people want and their selfish inclination have contributed in no small measure to the pains being experienced by Nigerians.
President Jonathan should get his priorities right. Nigerians are sick and tired of leaders who, after being given their mandate, turn around to act contrary to their wishes and aspirations.
Nigerians need stable power supply, good roads, well equipped hospitals, potable water, decent accommodation and improved standard of living.
These, we believe, should be the priorities of the president and not tenure elongation he is currently championing.
Just like he urged Nigerians to pray for national peace and progress during this month, the people are also appealing to him to take them out of their present despair. President Jonathan should use this period to seek Allah’s guidance towards meeting these expectations.
We also call on the people to use this period to wake up from their slumber and pray for the current administration to do the right thing. Government must be made to focus on those things that will promote their welfare only.
To our Muslim brethren, we say Ramadan Kareem.