By Bukola Hameed
The Muslim Congress, Oyo State has congratulated Muslims around the globe on the celebration of this year’s Eid-ul-Kabir and advised governor Seyi Makinde and his deputy, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, to concentrate on good governance.
This message was contained in a congratulatory message to the world Muslims by the TMC Oyo state Waali (Coordinator), Alhaji Engr. Daud Oladosu on Saturday.
Engineer Oladosu, while appealing to the government of Oyo state to be more concerned with developmental engagements, equally called for mutual understanding between the first two citizens in order to address plethora of challenges bedeviling the state.
“The Muslim Congress (TMC), Oyo State, has critically observed and followed in recent time the political polarisation that has graduated from a minor misunderstanding to the level of severity now threatening the security of the state.
I must say that we are not comfortable with this negative development as such is an enemy of progress and development in the state.
Remember the popular proverb of the fighting elephants where the grass suffers. When the first two citizens of the state are fighting, they are sure to be distracted from their strategic developmental plan for the state.
They are certain to amplify personal animosities and minify meaningful state matters and affairs.
No doubt, the grassroot will suffer; the citizens will suffer; the electorate that you usually run to for votes are already suffering. Remember, 2023 is at the corner. I admonish the two of you to revisit your political plan that brought you together as a winning team in 2019 elections.
Otherwise, there is a risk of teaching the electorate the appropriate electoral behaviour and decision next year.
His Excellencies, Governor Seyi Makinde and the Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, for the peace and development of the state, kindly burry the hatchet and concentrate on productive and strategic administration of the state to fulfill your electoral promises you made in 2019.
It is obvious huge work is still awaiting attention and action before the end of your administration”, he concluded.
Congratulating all pilgrims who made Arafat this year, Engr Oladosu as well assured those who missed this year’s hajj of their rewards with Allah in as much as their intentions are genuinely to worship Him.
“I urge those who, by the wills of Allah, missed this year’s Hajj despite their readiness and preparation to bear it in mind that Allah has destined everything beyond human control.
He will reward you with your good intentions for the annual worship. Your feelings and plights are understandable.
Missing such all important overt act of worship has its social implications in this society of ours but the reward of Allah is certain even without performing the Hajj this year.”
The Waali exhorted Muslims resident in Oyo state to “remember that Oyo State is our State, Nigeria is our nation and as Muslims, it is incumbent on us to always think for and participate in the development of our dear state and nation with vehement hope that Nigeria will rise again and thing will improve over time.
We should not join those who are fanning the ember of war, disintegration and disharmony under any guise in this country.
Despite our cultural and religious diversity, our might resides in uncompromisable unity. Both unity and persistent patriotism will assist us to overcome the hydra-headed challenges bedeviling our national harmony and development to live up to the status of giant of Africa that we are.
Dear Muslims in Oyo State, as we move toward the 2023 general election, I re-echo my advocacy on the importance of collecting your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and exercising your franchise by voting only credible candidates into the various elective positions in the state and at national level.
I also emphasize that you shun vote machandising, vote buying, vote selling, vote rigging, apolitical stance and electoral violence.
This way we can redirect our polity towards issue-based voting rather than propagandistic and conspiracy-driven votes.
Again, engaging in the process of choosing your leaders is your Islamically approved civic right and a trust that you will be accountable for in the Day of Reckoning.
Some of the issues awaiting government attention is the alarming rate of crime and violence.
Criminality is a product of deprivation, infrastructural deficit dearth of socio-economic benefits and opportunities for the most active demography of the state. I
is the duty of the government to convert the huge youth population in the state to demographic dividends.
In a state where mothers ride commercial motorbike (aka okada), tricycle (Maruwa) and even taxis, the picture of the home and the upcoming generation is clearly painted.
The government is also called upon to address the intimidating level of drug abuse, out-of-school children and yahooplus activities in the state.
All criminal hideouts in the state must be burst to chase unscrupulous and criminally minded elements out of the state.
While we appreciate the efforts of the governor on beautification of the state, it is important to note that environmental beautification transcends having new structures.
It revolves around a sustainable maintenance culture. For instance, indiscriminate refuse disposal in Oyo State has reached a nauseating state.
We urge the government to engage experts and technocrats on state beautification and waste management to have a sustainable environmental plan strategically connected to the SDGs to prevent all sorts of pollution and eruption of air- or water-born diseases in the state”.