ADCIOSA urges Muslims to pray over insecurity

Muslims faithful have been urged to use the Holy Month of Ramadan to beseech Allah on the security situation in the country.

Speaking during Ansar-ud-Deen College, Isolo Old Student Association (ADCIOSA) Ramadan lecture, the association President, Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Oladimeji Smith, said the Holy month has come to teach Muslims to believe in God, be patient, persevere and seek the mercy of Almighty Allah.

He said that Ramadan is a period of sober reflection and to beseech Allah for the country to put an end to all challenges bedeviling the nation.

“The issues of insecurity will be a thing of the past if we have a standard structure on ground and Nigerians should be prayerful and patients with one another.” He urged those inflicting pains on others to have a change of mind.

“We are all created by Allah to be our neighbours’ keepers. It is unexpected for people to turn to banditry for no just cause. What they are fighting for is of no consequence as far as I’m concerned, and it shouldn’t be like that. It is not a political game. And I believe God will change their hearts and Nigeria will be a great country again.”

Smith advised government to use the carrot and stick approach to address the current security challenges prevailing.

“There are two ways to do it, the government should negotiate with them and find out what their problem is. Though the way they are going is beyond negotiation, the government needs to be hard on those who are killing people unnecessarily because there is no point for that.

“Nigeria has never been like this before, I have been to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan; when I was there, I thanked God that Nigeria was not like these countries, but shortly after I returned in 2012, Nigeria changed.”

He added that the missing link is the fear of God and diversity. “We must believe in oneness of God and one Nigeria. We have to see ourselves as one, irrespective of where we come from.”

The first Vice President of ADCIOSA, Dr. Tajudeen Afolabi, said with insecurity in the country, Nigerians need to intensify their prayers for Allah’s mercy and that government should tackle, proactively, the security challenges. He urged parents to ensure that their children are well equipped with both western and Islamic education.

“ Parents should endeavour to monitor their children’s mode of dressing. Likewise, parents should lead a good example, when it comes to dressing, as correction starts from home.”

Afolabi urged parents to practice religious activities with their children at home as this would help shape what the children are going to learn.

“ I’m always an advocate of not allowing your children to get loose. You need to be firm with them and teach them to be God fearing as this will stop them from going inimical or doing something devilish.”

While advising parents to desist from engaging in battery, using of abusive words and domestic violence, he urged spiritual leaders to disengage from mud slandering but focus more on the preaching of the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet (SAW) most especially during the Holy month.