A Lagos-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ibraheem Olawumi, has advised the Federal Government to adequately invest in education and poverty alleviation programmes to address challenges facing the country.
TBI Africa said Olawumi, the Mudeer, Daarul Irshad Wal-Is’ad, Orile, made the plea while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the 10th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Special Prayer for the Nation on Saturday.
NAN reports that the lecture tagged “The Roles of Muslims in Nation Building” was organised by Abdulwahid Islamic Foundation, Lagos.
Olawumi, the guest speaker at the event, told NAN that the government must prioritise education to address problems of poverty and security in the country.
“Mathematics as a tool for problem solving is a good example of how education can be used to find lasting solutions to our problems in our immediate community and nation at large.
“There is the need to provide socio-economic and genuine empowerment programmes that will move the mass of the people away from poverty, ” he said.
The cleric urged Muslims to become good neighbours to all those around them and look for how to be of help to those in need, in order to build a progressing nation.
Also speaking to NAN, Mr Abdulrahman Lekki, the President, Zero Interest Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, urged the the government to prioritise good governance that would guarantee welfare of the people and security.
Lekki urged the government to rule with sincerity, conscience and fear of God, and to ensure judicious use of national resources to turn things around for the people.
NAN reports that the event had in attendance several clerics who admonished Muslims to play critical roles in nation building and offer prayers for National peace, unity and progress.
Clerics who led the Muslim faithful in prayer for the nation include Sheikh Abdul Rofi’i Muh-Awwal, the Chief Imam, Arrif’atul Islamiyyat Central Mosque and Grand Patron of the foundation.
