.as Yoruba Tennis Club holds its 100th anniversary Ramadan Lecture
By Our Reporter
Prominent Islamic scholar and Chief Missioner of Jamahliy Worldwide, His Eminence, Sheik Abdallah Gbade Akinbode, has enjoined Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to love one another for peace and tranquility to prevail in the country, amid ranging challenges confronting the nation.
Sheik Akinbode made this call on Sunday, while speaking at the 100th anniversary Ramadan Lecture, titled: "The Crisis of Values and Need for Spiritual Renewal in Nigeria," organized by the Yoruba Tennis Club, in Lagos.
This was just as the Muslim cleric noted that Nigeria is richly blessed with both human and natural resources to make it succeed, yet it had continued to face challenges over the years.
According to him, the challenges ranges from insecurity, economic crisis, corruption in places, among others, saying that the country had continued to witness change in leadership over the years while the system had failed to change.
"The system is our problem, leadership is not our problem, the system is the problem," he said.
Akinbode, while calling for a change of heart, and urging every one to be godly in his or approach to life, said Nigerians must resolve after Ramadan to serve their neighbours and fellow citizens.
He said those who are well positioned must resolve to lift at least one person out of poverty for such person to be positioned to help others, declaring that the change must come from individual Nigerians for things to work for the country.
"If we want peace and tranquility in Nigeria, we should love one another.
"We should have a change of heart after Ramadan, we should change. You rich people, you have to resolve that at least one person must change for better through you.
"If you and me can discipline ourselves from this Ramadan, shun sentiment, we would have the change we desired. Live within your means. The change is from us," he said.
Sheik Akinbode, however, prayed that God should give Nigerian leaders the wisdom to rule the country with courage and fairness in other to move it forward, even as he dismissed the notion that Nigeria is a cursed country.
"We should fear God, the fear of God is for us to be godly. It is not bad for us in Nigeria, when you are godly, everything will work for you," he said.
Also speaking, the Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Olabode Agoro, aligned with the preaching as delivered by the Chief Missioner of Jamahliy Worldwide, Sheik Akinbode, urging that Nigerians in general should ensure that they good take of their neighbours as commanded by God.
He said doing this would make life better for majority of people, while moving the country forward.
On the issue of civil servants being seen as corrupt, Agoro dismissed such notion, affirming that Lagos State Civil Service remained the best in the country.
"Our civil servants are most misunderstood, they are ones who work diligently.
"So we need to change our orientation. They are working hard and are dedicated. Over the years, development were conceived by politicians, but executed by civil servants.
"Lagos civil servants are the best in Nigeria and the government does not play with their training and welfare," he stated.
Earlier, in his address, the Chairman, Yoruba Tennis Club, Bro Chief Olawunmi Gasper, mni, while welcoming dignitaries to the occasion, said the day's lecture by the Chief Missioner of Jamahliy Worldwide, Sheik Akinbode "is a rare and intimate opportunity to listen to and engage him on the successful transformation across most campuses, corporate institutions and political circles through Islamic gospel music and evangelism and on other contemporary national issues."
"Brethren all, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, please relax and enjoy the lecture, titled: "The Crisis of Values and Need for Spiritual Renewal in Nigeria," by Our Chief Missioner of Jamahliy Worldwide, His Eminence, Sheik Abdallah Gbade Akinbode," he said.
Post a Comment