Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has enjoined Nigerians to be focused and stand with Almighty Allah in prayer to see the nation through the present economic challenges.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave this charge at the Lagos Central Mosque 2024 Annual Ramadan Public Lecture (1445 A.H.) themed “The Current Economic Situation: Solution from Islamic Perspective,” held at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said that the solution to the current challenges facing Nigerians was for all citizens to come together and pray so that things could be better for the country.
The governor also said Nigerians needed to be patient with the government, just as he asked the leaders to come up with policies that would be good for the nation’s economy.
According to him, society cannot afford to be toxic as people go to social media to rain curses, saying such was not the solution but to come together and pray so that things can be better for our country.
“The solution is for us all to come together and pray so that things can be better for our country.
“The reality of things is that the withdrawal of subsidies, which we are all used to over decades, will come with challenges.
“So my advice is that we sustain what we are doing, be prayerful, and be focused, and I am sure that very soon things will change for the better.”. the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while acknowledging that the government was moving in the right direction, noted that things would be tough before they got better; however, he prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the leaders the strength and fortitude to keep pursuing the right path for the country to come out of the present situation.
The guest lecturer at the event, Alfa Agba of Lagos, Sheikh Mujitaba Giwa, equally urged Nigerians to be patient and more prayerful, saying that the present economic downturn experienced was a result of a test from Allah.
The guest lecturer noted that Allah tempts nations that are not truthful and harbours unbelievers who are always committing acts that are considered “ungodly,” citing examples such as men dressed as women, indiscriminately engaging in kidnappings, killings, and so on.
“Allah tests every nation with five things, namely, fear, hunger, destruction of currency, death, and a bad harvest.
“But any nation that seeks the face of Allah and does His will is always ready to heal their lands and remove hunger, poverty, and deprivation,” the Islamic cleric said.
Sheikh Giwa charged the Federal Government to ensure decentralisation of the management of mineral resources in different parts of the country, noting that Allah had blessed the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with different natural resources.
The Islamic cleric, while making the demand, queried why states should not be permitted to manage their resources instead of the central government allocating licences to whoever they were pleased with.
“Allah has blessed the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with different natural resources, so why can’t they permit the states to manage their resources instead of the central government allocating licences to whoever they please?” he asked.
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