THE Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) has called on Muslims across the state and Nigeria to use the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Eid-ul Mawlid) as an opportunity to show support for the government and people of Borno State.
The OMC, under the leadership of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, urged prayers for those affected by the recent devastating floods that have compounded the state’s struggle to recover from the impacts of terrorism and banditry.
In a statement signed by the Secretary General, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, the council expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and destruction of property in the north eastern state, describing the situation as heartbreaking.
It acknowledged the increased burden placed on the state’s recovery from insecurity and commended the efforts to provide relief and support for the people of the state.
The OMC equally sympathised with the governments and peoples of Sokoto, Bayelsa and other states that have experienced similar disasters, offering prayers for protection against such calamities in the future.
In light of the environmental challenges being experienced in some parts of the country, the council called on governments and the general public to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
It stressed the need for obedience to environmental laws and adherence to safety practices to safeguard lives and property during such occurrences while also charging the people to always take seriously the alerts and warnings of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) on weather and climate forecasts as a way of minimising the impact of disasters.
The OMC emphasised the importance of enforcing relevant laws and regulations to ensure the safety and protection of citizens against natural disasters.
“The N3 billion ecological fund provided to each state by the Federal Government is a noteworthy and commendable step,” the council remarked, urging state governments to use the fund prudently to address environmental challenges.
On the current economic hardship, the OMC expressed concern over the difficulties Nigerians face due to the rising cost of petrol and other essential commodities.
It highlighted the struggles with insecurity and food crisis, noting that life has become unbearable for many.
While acknowledging the efforts of the government in trying to alleviate the situation, the OMC urged the federal and state governments to accelerate their plans to revamp the economy.
The council called for pragmatic steps to halt the soaring prices of food and other essential items as the burden of inflation could be felt by the poor and the rich alike.
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