Cleric Challenges Leaders On Transparency, Accountability
By Olu Osikoya, Abeokuta
Nigerian leaders, especially political office holders, religious leaders and those in charge of the economy, have been tasked to promote transparency, accountability and build trust, with a view to restoring people’s confidence, to promote good governance for the benefit of all.
The Guest Lecturer and Chief Imam, Sahaadatul Abadiyyah Organisation of Nigeria, Alhaji Ismail Abdullateef, gave the charge in his lecture at the third Annual Ramadan Lecture tagged, “Islamic Perspectives on Leadership and Challenges of Good Governance in Nigeria”, held at the Ogun State House of Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Abdullateef stated that, for any nation to make progress in promoting good democratic ideals, religious leaders, business tycoons and politicians must be God fearing and do all within their powers to make life meaningful for the masses.
According to him, the nation presently needed quality leadership and good governance that would ensure better economic stability, in line with campaign blueprints of politicians, calling on leaders to formulate policies and programmes that would better the plights of the masses.
While calling for improved funding in the education and health sectors, as well as ensuring food security, the Islamic cleric explained that such plans would avail indigent the opportunity to benefit from democratic dividends, stressing that no amount of human and material resources would bring about economic growth without good governance.
In his address, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, explained that the Assembly, under his leadership hosted the lecture to make Muslim Ummah to be more conscious of their expectations and prepare their minds for spiritual upliftment during the holy month and beyond.
Adekunbi, noted that the period was for repentance, mercy and generosity, which Islamic faithful must utilize to do more charity and learn more about Allah, saying, the eighth legislature had enacted legislations for socio-economic development of the State, which had resulted in successes recorded by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun led- administration.
Prayers were later offered for the State, the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the Speaker as well as the incoming administration and the people.