Fashola Harps On Obedience To Law And Order

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), on Sunday emphasized compliance to law and order as the key indicator of the fear of God as he attended two Ramadan Lectures.

He reiterated that in any society where law and order is obeyed, majority of the people benefit while that society prospers.

The two Ramadan Lectures were that of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Ikeja Branch where the National Missioner of the Society, Alhaji Sheikh Abdur Rahman Ahmad spoke on the topic “The Other Doors”, and the 8th Justice Muri Okunola Memorial Ramadan Lectures where the pair of Sheikh Abdul Hakeem Awwal, National Amir Ikwan Muslimeen Foundation and Alhaja Ganiya Ipadeola Olokodana, Amirah MICA, spoke on “Islam and Environmental Abuse” and “Motherhood in Islam” respectively at the Blue Roof, LTV 8 and Eko FM Open Field, Radio House, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

Governor Fashola, who said compliance to law and order is synonymous with obedience to the law of God, argued that nobody could claim to have the fear of God if he or she does not comply to the law and order in the society advising that while fasting in the month of Ramadan, Muslims should respect the law and fear the Almighty Allah.

“God put in place governments to make laws for the benefit of the society; so, when we disobey laws we disobey God and we do not have the fear of God. We are now in the month of Ramadan when we should be fasting and fearing God and we are fasting. But do we fear God?”, the Governor observed.

Citing instances of non-compliance to law and order, Governor Fashola noted that although everybody has the right to trade and do business, such right does not permit anybody to trade or do business on pedestrian walkways or bridges because that would mean depriving others their right to use the walkways.

“You have a right to trade and do business and own a shop; but, others also have the right to walk on the pedestrian walkways, so you cannot trade there. I have a right to pass because my tax was used to build that road so you cannot monopolize it because you want to do business”, the Governor said.

The Governor, who also cited the incidence of driving against traffic, pointed out that such an act should ordinarily not be committed by a God fearing person, adding, “We are praying more and we are becoming more disobedient to God”.

Governor Fashola noted that even before he signed into law the bill prohibiting certain vehicles from operating on certain roads, preventing driving against traffic and regulating the operation of commercial motorcycles, some people had started complaining that the laws were too draconian”.

“That, in other words, is telling me that the society wants the pieces of lawlessness to continue”, Governor Fashola said adding that any law, when made, remains dormant until someone breaks it and attracts the sanctions imposed by the law.

He said as the nation’s democracy gets stronger, Nigerians must learn to respect themselves and respect each other’s rights adding, “Democracy is a good form of government but, it requires a lot of restraint from all of us to respect ourselves and to care for ourselves”.

Governor Fashola expressed dismay that while the number of places of worship in the State is increasing daily, there are more crimes being committed in the society. He added, “If we respect our laws, things will be better”, noting that when Nigerians travel to Mecca for the lesser hajj and holy pilgrimages, they respect the laws in that land but refuse to do same when they arrive Nigeria.

“Today, from our records, we have over 9, 000 properties being used as places of worship. Half of that number is being used as places of business. Now, that is an interesting statistics. We are praying more but are we more God fearing?, the Governor asked noting that Lagos was a peaceful State about 30 years ago when he was a teenager and there were fewer incidents of robbery while kidnapping and other violent crimes were not commonplace.

The Governor advised Muslims to embrace peace and comply with law and order adding, “Islam symbolizes patience and peace. Peace is Islam. No other religion starts with peace except Islam. Islam is non-violent. Religion is good; we must respect ourselves because the way others see us is the way they will see our religion. Respect begets respect”.

Commenting on the lecture on “Islam and Environmental Abuse”, Governor Fashola noted that though Government has the responsibility to provide reliable power supply, people should also ensure safety for themselves. He also counseled against the use of generators in rooms while in use pointing out that the gas- Carbon-monoxide – which it emits, is poisonous.

Governor Fashola, however, assured Lagosians that his administration is working hard to provide adequate Power to supply all-round electricity in the State pointing out that very soon all Government establishments in Alausa will move out from the National Grid of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to the Independent Power Project (IPP) the State Government is putting in place. “Preparations are also in top gear in Lekki, Ikeja and other places. We are taking it one after the other. It is not if, it is a must; we will work hard”, the Governor said.

Governor Fashola also counseled against dumping of refuse in drainages to ensure free flow of water when it rains and noise pollution saying Government may institute legal proceedings to stop noise pollution by some churches and mosques. “We act on the complaints of people. It is where your right stops that another person’s right begins. Noise in your room must not disturb other person’s right to rest”, the Governor said.

On the topic “Islam and Motherhood”, Governor Fashola, who argued that giving birth is not the same as motherhood, advised women to be good mothers pointing out that parents should be blamed for any deficiency in a child.

“They are not like dogs that leave their puppies after eight weeks or hens that leave their chicks soon after hatching. Parents must take charge of their children’s upbringing from infancy until they get married. The fear of God should be the key. It brings peace and love to mankind”, the Governor said.

He prayed for the quick return of the missing Chief Executive Officer of Gawat Communications and anchorman of the NTA Channel 10 popular Ramadan Programme, “Edidi E Ji Saari”, Alhaji Razaq Gawat, praying that the Almighty Allah would bring him back alive and healthy in the Holy month of Ramadan.

Also present at the occasions were the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, among other members of the State Executive Council, Chairperson, Women Advisory Committee of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaja Kudirat Olatunji, Chairman of the Ramadan Tafsir, Oba Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, widow of late Justice Muri Okunola, Alhaja Ramdat Fehintola Muri Okunola, top Islamic scholars and other government functionaries.