Ajimobi seeks prayers against insurgency during Ramadan
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has charged Muslims in the state to use the month-long fasting period to pray for the peace, progress, unity and economic development of the country.
The governor, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, also urged Islamic faithful to pray to the almighty Allah to touch the hearts of the insurgents whom he said had been disrupting the peace of Nigeria so that they could sheath their swords and embrace peace.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the relative peace being enjoyed in Nigeria is being threatened by the activities of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram. The sect has been on the prowl, killing and maiming innocent citizens on daily basis. These are, to say the fact, needless killings.
“Our Muslim brothers and sisters should, therefore, use the occasion of this Ramadan to pray fervently to the almighty Allah to touch the hearts of these insurgents so that they can allow peace to reign in our beloved country,’’ Governor Ajimobi said.
He also told Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the safe release of the over 200 students of the Government Girls’ College, Chibok, Borno State who had been kidnapped by Boko Haram since April 14, 2014.
While congratulating them for witnessing the holy month of Ramadan for this year, he admonished them to attune their minds to the messages of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence inherent in the month of Ramadan, urging them to always be their brothers’ keepers in whatever they would be doing.
“As our Muslim brothers and sisters are expected to adhere strictly to abstinence from food and other things during the month of Ramadan, I wish to enjoin them to extend their hands of fellowship to other fellow Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
“It is only by doing this coupled with sharing whatever they have with others, particularly the less-privileged in the society, that their supplications can be answered and the world will be a good place to live in for all and sundry,’’ he said.
Governor Ajimobi wished Islamic faithful a successful fasting period and prayed to God to grant them the strength needed to accomplish the fasting period.
