By Mumini Abdulkareem
The Kwara State Government has been charged to create job opportunities for youths to avoid being used as tools of disruption by selfish politicians.
The Chief Imam of Osi and Chairman Ekiti Council of Imams and Ulamas, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Sheik Saadudeen Ajisefini gave the advice during the commemoration of the 1441 Hijra ceremony held at Ikerin-Opin, Ekiti LGA of Kwara State.
Sheikh Ajisefini said that the protection of lives and property is seriously under threat due to what he described as unnecessary rivalry among security operatives.
“Imagine the killing of Police Officers who went on a very sensitive assignment in Taraba State by Soldiers, even after they were said to have identified themselves. This is an aberration and there is need for the higher authority to investigate the issue and deal with those found culpable”, he noted.
The Islamic scholar urged the Federal and State Governments to create job opportunities for the youth who are vulnerable to social vices and all forms of criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry.
He implored President Muhammadu Buhari to fast track implementation of the new national minimum wage because of its multiplier effect on the economy of the country because the market men and women, artisans and other members of the public would feel the impact of salary increment through patronage from civil servants and workers in the private sector.
Sheikh Ajisefini admonished Muslims to reflect on the lessons of Hijrah that was performed by Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medinah 1441 years ago despite intimidation and persecution from those who do not believe in his faith but he still endured up till the time many of them embraced Islam.
Speaking on the political situation in Kwara State, Sheik Ajisefini who observed that 100 days is not enough to judge performance of government applauded the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq administration but stressed the need to provide employment opportunities for youth so that they will not be tools for selfish politicians.
He warned that too much gap between the rich and the poor contribute to the high wave of criminal activities in the society because some make away with millions of naira at the expense of others who could barely afford the normal three square meals.
In his lecture, the Chief Imam of Epe-Opin Community and Missioner of Ekiti Council of Imams and Ulamas, Ustaz Bashir Mustapha charged Muslims to shun sentiment and be united.
Ustaz Mustapha said that the only way faithful can truly demonstrate they are true Muslims is by being their brothers keepers adding that government, traditional rulers and religious leaders must work together to address the issue of insecurity.
He charged wealthy Muslims to assist the downtrodden by empowering the youth, women especially the widows and aged and applauded the Federal Government conditional cash transfer program, N-Power and the school home grown feeding program initiative.
There were goodwill messages from the, Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olanrewaju and Allaye of the Ikerin-Opin Oba Joseph Ayodele who applauded the Muslims in the Local Government for the unity and oneness of purpose.
