Islamic scholars under the auspices of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) have hailed the efforts of President Mohammadu Buhari on the modest improvement in the state of the nation.
MUSWEN President, Alh. (Dr.) Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola gave the commendation on behalf of the organization at the 3rd General Assembly held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan on Sunday, 7th May, 2017, tagged “Good Governance.”
According to Dr. Sakariyau Babalola, “the battle against insurgency in the North East is now largely won, with more Chibok girls being returned by their captors, and are being reintegrated back into the society, peace is gradually returning to the crisis-ravaged Niger Delta, agitation in the South East is becoming moderated and the economy is gradually getting out of recession.”
Babalola, however, charged the government to put more effort particularly in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals and tourism to sustain the nation’s economy.
“Governments need to do more to diversify the economy of the nation and states. Our youths need empowerment, pensioners, senior citizens and IDPs need better attention, education, health and social infrastructure need more reform and investment, power, roads and other physical infrastructure need more investment, more efforts need to be made to rescue the remaining Chibok girls and return them to their families.
He noted that for Nigeria to be able to claim back its rightful position in the comity of nations as the giant of Africa, Nigerians must always support and pray for the president in the battle against corruption. “If we all desire a better future for Nigeria and Nigerians, we must all resolve in unison that the fight against corruption is a battle for the survival of the nation,” Babalola concluded.
Barrister Adebayo Shitu, the Minister of Telecommunication, in his goodwill message said that President Mohammadu Buhari, since assumption of office in 2015, has been working assiduously to ensure that the country returns to normal from the state of lawlessness it placed by the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration as a result of corruption and mismanagement.
While presenting his keynote address, Professor Lai Olurode from the Department of Sociology, University of Lagos observed that it is never enough for the country to be endowed with human and natural resources; rather, there is a need for connection between the state and the citizenries through policies that can enhance lives.
Prof. Olurode charged Nigerians not to see themselves as helpless; they should always stand to ask questions from those who govern them, be it governor, legislator and any of their representatives, adding that this will go a long way in changing the situation so many times to better.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of scholarship awards to five best female medical students from Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Osun States by Alhaja Okunnu, presentation of the report of Central Working Committee by Prof. Olatokunbo Noibi and presentation of Financial Report by Alh. R. A. Ebiti.
Present at the event were Oyo and Osun State Governors who were represented by Alh. Murziq Bidemi Siyanbade, Special Adviser on Community Relations and Engr. Bashir Lawal, Prince Abdul Jabaar Bola Ajibola, who is the Chairman of Trustees of MUSWEN, Professor Olatokunbo Noibi, MUSWEN Executive Secretary and Dr. Wole Abass, Chairman, Planning Committee.
Others included Alhaja Okunnu, Alh. Sekinat Adekola, Hon. Justice Tijani Babalakin and Muslim ummah across the South West region of the country.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
