In a bid to cushion the effect of the current economic hardship in the country, the Ogun State Government on Friday began the distribution of rice palliatives to the residents of the state.
The distribution started with Muslim faithful who are currently observing this year’s Ramadan fast with bags of rice allocated to mosques, including Kobiti Central Mosque, Secretariat Central Mosque, and Sa’adatul Abadiyya Mosque, Leme, all in Abeokuta.
Addressing the congregation on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, after the Jumat, the Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, thanked Muslims for their support and prayers since 2019, urging them not to relent but continue to support the Abiodun-led government for a successful second term tenure.
“The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, does not take your prayers and support for granted. Your prayers are what have been keeping this administration going. So, I want to appeal to you to accept this gift wholeheartedly,” she said.
The deputy governor urged the congregants to shun all immoral acts that could hinder their prayers in the month of Ramadan.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Atoke Adebisi Ogunseun, appreciated Governor Abiodun for the gesture, praying that Almighty Allah will continue to guide him and grant him the required wisdom to take the state to a greater height.At the Kobiti Central Mosque, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiu Hamzat, who represented the governor, explained that the gesture was part of the government’s commitment to the welfare of the citizenry, even as he promised more distribution of palliatives to the people.
He enjoined them to use the Ramadan period to pray fervently for the peace, tranquility, and progress of the country.
At the Sa’adatul Abadiyya Organisation of Nigeria National Mosque, Leme, the Senior Consultant to Governor Abiodun on Media, Amb Tunde Oladunjoye, said the gesture was in line with the state government’s agenda to help cushion the high cost of food in the country.
Oladunjoye also added that the state government was poised to continue to look after the welfare of the people of the state.
In his message, the Chief Imam of Sa’adatul Abadiyya Organisation of Nigeria National Mosque, Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Ismail, commended Governor Abiodun for looking after the welfare of his people by distributing food items to the Muslim faithful in the Mosque.
He added that the gesture would go a long way in assisting many homes.
