By Adeyemi Adeleye
Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), Convener of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, says government at all levels must be deliberate about pulling people out of poverty and ensuring fair wealth distribution.
Adediran spoke at the Lagos4Lagos Movement 8th Annual Ramadan Public Lecture titled “Economic Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation: The Islamic Perspective.”
The lecture, held at the premises of LTV 8, Ikeja, and attracted hundreds of Islamic faithful, clerics and traditional rulers from different parts of the state.
Speaking on the theme, Adediran said the core purpose of leadership was to empower citizens, lift the poor and bridge the gap between the rich and the less privileged.
He said: “We have to be intentional to pull the person out of poverty. One thing that I have learned, I believe that, as a government, one can do a lot emulating the teachings of Zakat.
“The purpose upon which a government is in place is to see to the well-being of the people. Nothing to add. Everything that will bring about the people’s welfare is what it is all about.
“Leadership is all about looking at how alleviate the suffering of the people in all sectors of our economy, in infrastructure, in education, health-wise and others.
“Leadership is also ensuring the well-being of the people. That’s the purpose upon which a government is in place,” said Adediran, the PDP candidate in the 2023 Lagos governorship election.
According to him, Nigerians are fortunate to have President Bola as leader, at this time.
“Nigeria already has the kind of leadership that befits what we are facing today. The one that is bold. The one that is courageous.
“The one that has been able to take the bull by the horn. We have a kind of leadership, spreading the wealth accordingly.
“The one that has increased the revenue of all the states as a result of his policy, his courageous policy,” he said.
Adediran described Tinubu as a statesman who chose reforms in the nation’s interest, rather than personal political considerations.
“We must salute him (Tinubu), that’s the kind of leader we want and need in this country today,” he said.
He commended the guest lecturer, noting that the discourse on Zakat aligned with his belief in sustainable empowerment beyond distribution of perishable food items.
Adediran added that the Lagos4Lagos Movement remained committed to initiatives aimed at improving the lives of residents.
“This is our 8th Ramadan lecture. For the 8th time consecutively, this is what we have done. Every Ramadan, we come together to observe a public lecture.
“Ramadan period is a period where the rich will have to sit back and feel the pains of the poor,” he said.
Reflecting on the 2023 governorship election, Adediran said the outcome never affected his faith or commitment to serving the people.
“The Badagry Division where I came from has not tasted governorship of Lagos State and I am the only Muslim,for now,in the race now to 2027.
“We will not stop begging God to actualise this by grace of Allah; it will come in peace and God will do it,” he said.
Delivering the lecture, Fadeelat Shaykh Alhaji Abdulhakeem Muh’d Awwal (Al-Jejewiy) described Zakat as a compulsory Islamic pillar designed to empower people and reduce poverty.
“Islam is not just a religion,but a total way of life. Everything is included, everything has been taken care us.
“Since the foundation of this religion, there has been issues of poverty alleviation. The welfare of Muslims is very important.
“We do Zakat in the country, but the distribution is the problem. When the government builds markets, they allocate them to the rich.
“A good government should be concerned about the welfare of the people, they should not get to office and forget about the people.”
“The government must have approved Zakat Committee and we should appoint technocrats into the committee,” he said.
Awwal said Zakat could be used to create employment, empower people with skills and support the needy.
“Zaqat is an obligation from Allah, we must be ready to do it anytime we are qualified. It is a social empowerment.”
A traditional ruler, Oba Babatunde Ogunrombi, Onishasha of Shasha, called for prayers for Adediran to actualise his aspirations.
Also speaking,another traditional ruler, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, said the large turnout showed that God had a purpose for Adediran’s life.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr Idowu Agarau, said the lecture provided an avenue to appreciate God and proffer solutions to economic challenges.
“We use it to find solution to our economic challenges. Islam does not encourage selfishness, it gives us a clear pathway to prosperity,” Agarau said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries at the event included Grand Chief Imam of Ikeja Central Mosque, Sheikh Qamorudeen Adeola; Representative of the Chief Imam of Badagry, Dr Quadri Otuyo and the Osolu of Irewe, Oba Abideen Durosinmi.
Also present are: Onidimu of Idimu, Oba Noah Olayiwola-Adefimuhan; the Onisheri of Isheri Olofin, Oba Ibraheem Lawal, representative of the Chief Imam of Epe Division, Alh. Muu’d Lukmon Bello; representative of the Chief Imam of Ikorodu, Alh. Kamarudeen Ogunbanwo .
Clerics and traditional rulers at the event offered special prayers for Adediran . (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB
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Edited by Buhari Bolaji
