From Abdulfatah Babatunde, Abeokuta
Two Islamic scholars, at the weekend, called on Nigerian leaders to prioritise good governance and commitment to fight corruption as effective antidotes to the current economic crisis in the country.
TheNewsZenith reports that the scholars are Prof. Afiz Oladosu of the University of Ibadan and Shaykh Qamarudeen Ballo from Osogbo.
They made the lead presentations at the 17th Annual State Lecture in Abeokuta. The programme is hosted by The Muslim Congress (TMC), Ogun State chapter, to commemorate the 64th Independent Anniversary of Nigeria.
The duo asked Nigeria’s political leaders to explore the Islamic models to reverse the deplorable economic deficit in the country.
Oladosu, from the Dept. of Arabic & Islamic Studies at UI, spoke on “Good Governance As Catalyst For Economic Growth and Development”.
He defined and highlighted several factors militating against good governance.
The don said Muslims expected more than what they were getting from President Tinubu’s administration.
According to him, governance is a participatory process that must involve the two other sides of the divide. He said it is just like the creation of a new baby.
“The coming to the world of a new baby, by the design of Almighty God, is with the participation of two people, the father and mother.
“By the same token, governance involves participatory efforts of both the leaders and the less,” TheNewsZenith quotes Oladosu as saying.
On the hardship facing Nigerians, the scholar challenged the Federal Government to remember and fulfil their electoral promises.
He also urged the government to address the suffering of the masses.
“What we did in 2023, we never did it before because we bought into the theory of `Emi Lokan’.
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“What we expected as Muslims when we voted the present administration en mas.
“A typical example is the development issues in Ogun State where it has nosedived over the years compared to what we experienced with the previous administration.”
While delivering a lecture on the topic: “Political and Economic Stability: Insights from Islamic History”, Shaykh Ballo, asked politicians to adopt the Islamic model of good governance in Nigeria.
Ballo is the Chief Imam of Gbesin Niyi Mosque in Osogbo. He hinged good governance on three characteristics that a Muslim leader must have.
“The political and economic model as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad and his companion especially Umar in Khairan is a sustainable model to bring the desire for good governance to Nigeria.
“A leader must be transparent, detribalise and uphold justice among the people irrespective of tribal or religious differences,” TheNewsZenith quotes the Cleric as saying.
The Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Thabit Sonaike, who declared the programme opened commended the dawah activities of the TMC.
Sonaike commended The Muslim Congress (TMC) for sustaining the programme.
“The TMC in Ogun State has consistently organised this annual lecture for the past 17 years, thus contributing to the development of the country,” he said.
Sonaike advised Muslim politicians to be patriotic and dutiful to the emancipation and development of the nation.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Oloola of Ilara, Oba Mutiu Lawal and a member of the State House of Assembly, Lukman Atobatele also eulogised the TMC for propagating the pristine Islam.
They asked Nigerians to perform their civic responsibilities towards building a prosperous and economically viable country.
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