Ogbonicha (Kogi) – The Chairman, Kogi State Council of Ullamahs, Sheikh Salman Adam, has advised Muslims to live a life of piety and cultivate the spirit of generousity.
Adam gave the advice on Sunday at Ogbonicha in Ofu Local Government area during the eighth-day Fridau prayers for Prince Abubakar Audu.
He said that this was necessary to prepare a place for themselves in paradise.
Adam, who was assisted by over 100 other clerics, called on Nigerians to shun acquisition of wealth and corruption, stressing that what Allah had provided in paradise were far better than earthly riches.
He urged Muslims to emulate the life of service to God and humanity that the late Audu lived, saying that death could come at anytime.
Adam, who was in sober mood throughout the prayers session, urged wealthy Muslims to invest in worthy ventures and shun ostentatious lifestyle.
He described the death of Audu, the candidate of All Progressive Congress in the Nov. 21 governorship election in Kogi, as a big loss to the Igala nation and the whole country,.
Adam said that It is only Allah that could compensate for the huge loss.
The sheikh admonished the immediate family members, relatives, friends and political associates of Audu to accept his death in good faith and put their thrust in Allah.
Adam also advised them to see Audu’s death as a great challenge, stressing that they must continue with the good deeds of the late politician.
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, in his brief remarks, said that it was difficult to quantify the death of Audu, describing it as a big blow to the government and people of the state.
He said that the people would continue to remember the late Audu for his giant strides and landmark projects he established during his two tenures as the first civilian governor of the state.
The first son of the deceased, Mr Mohammed Abubakar Audu, thanked the people for standing by the family during this moment of grief.
He said his late father left a big vacuum that would be difficult to fill, asking for prayers of all and sundry for him and other siblings.
Audu thanked the state government, the leadership of APC and the Federal Government for the support given to them since the sudden death of their father.
The well attended prayer was, however, nearly marred by violence as some irate youths chased away a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Ahmadu Ali, and Sen. Nicholas Ugbane from the event.
While Ali was asked to go back at the main entrance of the house, Ugbane who managed to gain entrance, was chased out by the youths.
He escaped death by whiskers as stone throwing and stick wielding youths pursued him into a ditch, but his driver was able to maneuver and sped away. (NAN)