Onike in his 1444/2023 Eid-el-fitr message, said that the Noble Prophet emphasised the essence of a good companionship, “Narrated Abu Musa: Allah’s Messenger said, “The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith’s bellows (or furnace); from the first (friend) you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house or you get a bad nasty smellthereof.”
He said that the choice of ministers and advisers, among others, could could make or mar the incoming administration’s goals. Quoting an Arab proverb, Imam Onike said: “Choose, the friend before, choosing the road.”
Praying to Allah to guide the President-elect in choosing the right associates, the Chief Missioner also enjoins the President-elect to make deliberate efforts to douse the tension of ethnic and religious bigotry introduced into the recently concluded elections by some self-seeking politicians. He cautioned Nigerians not to allow divisive tendencies into Nigeria’s politics, adding that divide and rule tactics are not in the nation’s dictionary. He appealed to Muslims to maintain the good deeds of Ramadan and shun vices as commanded by the holy scripture, “and worship your Lord until the last moment (of your life) that will most certainly come (Q15:99).
