TMC hails Lagos, cautions against celebrating idols

The Muslim Congress (TMC) has commended the Lagos State government on its achievements amidst the euphoria of its golden jubilee celebration, but cautioned against the celebration of idols.

Grand Mufti of Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO) Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’I, at its special Ramadan lecture on Lagos at 50, lauded the mega city agenda and commended the previous and incumbent governments for their golden touch.

Hundreds of Muslim faithful who attended the special gathering in Lagos prayed for the state, which was created alongside Kano, Kano Kwara and other states in May 27, 1967.

In his lecture, the renowned scholar described the former governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s as the architect of the new Lagos, who laid the foundation and ensured that state survived without support from former president Olusegun Obasanjo-led federal government.

“After laying the foundation, he was able to discover Babatunde Raji Fashola and now Ambode through is foresight. He knows who is capable of destroying his beautiful master plan for Lagos and who can sustain it. That why he “selected” rather than allowing people of questionable characters to take over mantle of leadership in Lagos. Even though some people criticise such move and describes it as anti-democracy, but no one can deny the progress made by the state in the last 18 years” he said.

Sheikh Shafi’i also hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for taking the state’s transformation to an enviable height. “Despite coming into office during recession, his (Ambode’s) ingenuity to raise the bar of governance is amazing. Unlike his fellow governors, he did not owe workers’ salaries, rather ensure prompt payment. He could have use recession as an excuse, but he didn’t, instead, Lagos State has been witnessing massive infrastructural development, not forgetting his sterling performances in other sectors namely security, education, job creation among others,” he said.

The Mufti, however, frowned at the government’s activities for the Lagos@50 celebration, which he said, gave more preferences to idol worshippers and the entertainment industry.

“The state government erred by reviving the Eyo festival that had been laid to rest for the past five years and spent huge amount of money on it. Government should be careful in engaging in things that will annoy our creator.

“The government refused to celebrate First Class students produced by the tertiary institutions. These people have done Lagos proud; they ought to have been celebrated. Instead you celebrated touts, musicians and corrupt politicians,” Sheikh said.

In his appraisal of Ambode’s two years administration​, TMC national Amir, Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem stated that despite challenges in the area of security, the safety of lives and properties of Lagosians have received a boost in the state.

The Congress Lagos state president, Ustaz Monsur Adebayo congratulated the good people of Lagos state, calling on the state to create Ministry of Religion.

He noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs alone cannot handle all the demands and religious affairs of the diverse adherents of the Lagos populace. He said, “There is a need for ministry of religion at this time where where knowledgeable scholars of the two recognized religions will meet and advice governments on religious related issues.”

He also advised the government to make drastic redress on what he described as lame duck handling of the victimisation of female Muslim students in Hijab in secondary and nursing schools.