An Islamic group, The Muslim Congress (TMC) have appealed to the Federal Government to find lasting solutions to the current fuel crisis and hardship bedviling the country.
Mallam Abdul-Majeed Adebayo, TMC Coordinator, made this appeal on Tuesday during its annual Congress in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo State.
He said the country had faced tough times for many years with challenges of insecurity, corruption, ethnic division, greed, criminality and poverty but was compounded by the lingering friel crisis.
According to him, we face greater burden with the complexities of fuel politics and widespread hunger, these crisis are tearing apart families, homes and communities, forcing many into desperation with excruciating pain and yet, solutions seem elusive.
“However, no problem is without a solution, we call on the nation’s leadership at all levels to be transparent and proactive in addressing the ongoing fuel crisis.
“Enough of the secrecy and politics surrounding this issue, our leaders must demonstrate true patriotism and the political will necessary to bring an end to the hardships and problems that plague us, threatening the unity of our nation,” Adebayo said.
He charged TMC members to lead by example and reverse the trends of hardship that afflict the nation, urging them to rededicate themselves through “Teskiyah”— ‘soul purification’ and “Khuruj Fisebilllahi”— ‘calling to the way of Allah’.
He also also charged all Nigerians devoid of religious sentiments to examine themselves and refrain from their evil, selfish and corrupt ways for the country to be a better place for all.
The TMC Coordinator who picked a sermon from Qur’an, Chapter 13, Suratul Ra’d, verse 11, which says: “Surely, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their way
He said that verse served as a powerful reminder: when people shift from evil to good, they would be blessed with righteous leaders adding that the opposite, unfortunately was also true.
“We must also examine ourselves, feel remorse for our wrongdoings, retrace our steps, and refrain from sinful, selfish, and corrupt behavior and seek true forgiveness and sincerely return to the path of Allah.
“As citizens, we can not continue in this cycle of sin, corruption and oppression, and still expect positive change, It goes against the natural balance of justice.
“We all need to undergo a true attitudinal change, resolve to act with determination, and uphold ethical values that will propel our country forward. As the saying goes, doing the same thing in the same way will always yield the same poor results,” he added.
Adebayo, however, said that the essence of the Annual Congress was to give the report and account of stewardship within the last year and to candidly assess themselves as individuals and executive members.
The Congress was graced by the TMC Chairman Committee of patrons, Alhaji Abdul-Kareem Eleshin, former TMC Coordinator Okitipupa, Alhaji Abdul-Rafiu Owolabi and Coordinator TMC Ondo State, Alhaji Abdul-Wasiu Aliu represented by State Financial Secretary, Mr. Abdul-Rasheed Adesiyan and other dignataries.(NAN)