OGBOMOSO – Former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State has urged Muslims in the country to use the Ramadan fasting period to pray for the nation’s development.
Alao-Akala, who made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ogbomoso on Saturday, urged Muslims to be steadfast in prayers.
He said Ramadan was a symbolic month meant to move closer to God and called on the Muslims to pray very hard for the nation.
He added that the progress recorded so far was a pointer that the nation would soon attain the enviable position it desired. .
“The government had in recent time recorded tremendous feats and has committed more into tackling the Boko Haram insurgency.
“It is very important that we all continue to pray for our nation at periods like this, so that it will complement government’s efforts”, he said.
The former governor, who wished Muslims smooth and successful fasting for the next 30 days, urged them to emulate the life and ways of the holy Prophet Muhammed.
Also, the Deputy Governor of Kogi, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, called on Muslim to pray for an end to the security challenge in the country during Ramadan period.
Awoniyi made the call in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu in Lokoja on Saturday.
Awoniyi in the statement enjoined Muslims to use the holy month to maximise the spiritual and physical benefits inherent in it.
He identified good intention, prayers and firmness of purpose in the pursuit of good deeds as conditions for reaping the benefits of the holy month.
Awoniyi said Ramadan was one of the five pillars of Islam and urged Muslims to be proactive in their decisions and actions that would ensure their participation in the fasting.
He called on preachers to guard their utterances during the fasting period, urging them to preach the true teachings of Islam rather than engage in mutual accusation.
“Muslim scholars should instead educate their audience on what is expected of Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan to earn Allah’s blessings”, it said. (NAN)
