The Eid-el-Maulud is significant as it encapsulates the birth of the virtue that characterises the faith of Islam and demonstrates the values of love, tolerance, selflessness and understanding amongst the human race, irrespective of religious belief, race or creed.
For me, today transcends just the remembrance of a birthday but much more about the symbolism and deed of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
It is the foundation of the leadership qualities that public officers and those who have sworn an oath to be fair and do good to everyone with the utmost selflessness.
For us in Ogun State, these qualities have remained a tall dream.
We live in a time when Shylocks and profiteers who would rather sell state assets and lands to cronies and pocket the profits have taken the helm of affairs.
Our state has been held captive by a despot who takes pride in denying workers their salaries but instead places their sweat in fixed deposits and corners the interest.
The hardship and cruelty the people of our border towns have been subjected to is one that shouldn’t been wished on anyone. The neglect and inhumane treatment while funds budgeted for their roads are released, siphoned, reallocated and siphoned again are ungodly and unforgivable.
Just like we have hope in a better life in Aljanah, there will be respite in Ogun State sooner than could be anticipated. In five months, Ogun State will breathe a breadth of fresh air as hope is on the horizon.
To the downtrodden, unemployed, ill-treated workers and neglected residents beyond religious beliefs, let us use today’s solemnity to pray for the strength to weather this storm before the light comes.
BOT Media Office
8th October, 2022.
