Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Invoking Allah’s blessing over February 2015 polls

By Kabir Alabi Garba
22 January 2015   |   11:00 pm
IN the foundation’s mission statement, politics has no attraction. But Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF), since inception about five years ago, has developed passion in activities and programmes that promote wellbeing of Nigeria and Nigerians. Its self-imposed mandate is to ensure goodness, fairness and justice in the society.   With tension and apprehension in the air…

IN the foundation’s mission statement, politics has no attraction. But Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF), since inception about five years ago, has developed passion in activities and programmes that promote wellbeing of Nigeria and Nigerians. Its self-imposed mandate is to ensure goodness, fairness and justice in the society.

  With tension and apprehension in the air over the forthcoming general elections as well as insecurity occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, the foundation on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 in Lagos organized Prayer for the Nation 2015 where Allah’s blessing and intervention were sought for peace and stability to continue to reign in Nigeria.

  With Committing Nigeria to the Hands of God: What are the roles of the Leadership and the Citizenry? as theme, the gathering attracted distinguished personalities from all walks of life.

  But as a non-governmental and non-political outlet peopled by professional Muslim women “who are conscious of the state of Nigeria and the need to contribute to its greatness through prayers, charity, empowerment and lectures”, the prayer session was like holding Muslim congregational event outside the traditional mosque environment. Indeed, the Shell Hall of MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos filled to the brim. Sheikh Ramadan Jibril of Morkaz Salaam, Ojokoro, Lagos led the recitation of the whole Qur’an undertaken by the students of his training centre. In attendance also were Imams and Alufas from across mosques in Lagos State. Chairman of Centerspread Advertising, Alhaji Kola Moruf Ayanwale presided over as chairman. Alhaji Gbajabiamila represented the spiritual father of the day, Alhaji Garuba Akinola Ibrahim who is also chief Imam of Lagos. Two patrons of the foundation – Justice Ibrahim Ishola Olorunimbe and former IG, Alhaji Musiliu Smith were around to lend support to the event. 

  Other guests were Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul Hafeez Abou; the Waziri of Nupe, Senator Isa Mohammad; Chief Missioner of NASFAT, Alhaji Abdullai Akinbode as well as representatives of Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola; Alhaja Titi Atiku among others.

  In his opening remarks, Alhaji Kola Ayanwale underscored the need to avert the impending crisis (as a result of violence-induced electioneering campaigns) as women and children are always major victims of crisis. “We need to pray as well as do the right things always,” Ayanwale said justifying his assertion with quotations from the Holy Qur’an.

  Speaking on the theme of the gathering, Imam Ahmad catalogued socio-political and economic problems that threaten corporate existence of the country. He also proffered solutions with reference to Q71:10 to 12 while acknowledging the significance of the prayer session. 

  He explained further, “the divine recommendations are practicable and attainable. They are not difficult things. It is not enough to supplicate and call on Almighty God for solutions to our problems, we also need to demonstrate practical faith and live our conviction. All religions preach the attainment of sterling human qualities such as honesty, accountability, probity, integrity, transparency… these are things we need to put into practice, and all our problems will be solved. But we can’t be corrupt and call on Allah (SWT) to cleanse us. We have to cleanse ourselves first. We can’t continue with impunity and expect that the grace of Allah to descend on us. We can’t continue with bad governance and expect the blessing of Allah. It is two-way thing. As Nigerians, as human beings who have been created free, we must take our destiny in our own hands. Our challenges are byproducts of bad governance, of misrule, of impunity, and we can stop it. We can be great again, and even greater than this. We can attain our destiny. This is my conviction.”

  With the prayer session, Imam Ahmad said the foundation “is contributing its own quota to national development in the way it deems fit. If every Nigerian resolves to contribute their quota, there is going to be a lot of difference. I’m saying that Nigerians must stop agonising, complaining, we must change our destiny with our own hands.”     

 President of FCF, Hajia Bintu-Fatima Tinubu said the prayer session was a reflection of the foundation’s love for “our Nation” with the strong belief that “our country can be made better. We want to see Nigeria a developed nation, prosper and become the pride of Africa. We are here because we know that change must come and that change will come because we are the hope of Nigeria and henceforth, we must pursue a desire to get it right.”

  According to Iyalode of Lagos, “today’s world, especially the world of politics, needs to be sustained by fervent prayers, supplications to the Almighty God, to overcome various challenges and harmonize different political currents with a view to enabling growth and development in our dear nation.” 

  She reiterated that the charity outfit designed the prayer session as a yearly programme “to commit Lagos State and the entire country to the hands of God in prayers and for spiritual enlightenment and the year 2015 is not an exception.

  “We are very much aware of the many problems that have plagued the Nigerian nation which include insecurity, corruption and general fall in the standard of morality. And If Nigeria is to fulfil her God-given mandate, we need to find urgent solutions to these innumerable problems confronting the country. 

  “However, Nigeria after 100 years as a country (centenary) and 54 years as an independent state, seems to have achieved little with its huge human and natural resources, Nigerians are now growing impatient with so much hardship in the land of so much wealth. With vast deposits of natural resources, including black gold (oil) in our backyard, most Nigerians have remained stuck in squalor and hopelessness. While our value system has continued to crash with vices such as corruption and theft celebrated, true federalism has remained an illusion and development at all levels has continued to elude us.”

  Hajia Tinubu emphasised the efficacy of prayer as a practical way to overcome challenges. She thanked guests that honoured the foundation with their presence at the session and all others that have contributed to the success of the association’s activities over the years.

  Waziri Nupe, Senator Isa Mohammad who was Special Guest of Honour admonished politicians to eschew hatred and bitterness as he reminded them that elections would come and go, but Nigeria should be the ultimate winner. “So, the continued existence of Nigeria as a peaceful nation should be paramount.” He insisted.

0 Comments