Develop policies to fight illegal hikes in prices of food items, Cleric tells govt

Ajiboye Lagbaji, a renowned Islamic scholar and the Chief Imam of Allahu Wahid Central Mosque, Ondo, in Ondo State, has identified the lackadaisical attitude of the federal government to control prices of commodities as one of the challenges confronting Nigerians.

Lagbaji, who disclosed this at the weekend in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the maiden Ramadan Lecture organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, however, tasked the government at all levels through its agencies to develop policies to fight the illegal increase in the prices of food items.

According to him, “in Ondo town, we buy 6-inches of block for N1,400 but it is sold in Akure for N800. So, what’s the government doing about price control? The people are in pain. Our advise to government in this period of Ramadan is to fear God.

“In Nigeria, a commodity price can increase by twice the expected value in just a year and this is not right, government should do something and find a way to regulate inflation rate.”

The cleric who spoke on the theme: “Islam, Leadership and Good Governance: Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Challenges”, said as far as the fair distribution of political positions is critical, the government should make conscious efforts to improve economic opportunities, prosperity and equality for all segments of the society irrespective of their religion.

Lagbaji said the provisions of the Constitution and the Federal Character Act with respect to the distribution of political positions should be objectively and transparently implemented, stating that the transparent implementation is the major step in obtaining public trust about government’s commitment to achieving national unity and cohesion.

His words: “To move this country forward, we need equity and fairness at the federal, state and local government. Providing economic opportunities for all, including marginal groups, will reduce the propensity for conflict and rivalry.

“Also, there must be religious unity. We must see ourselves as one. Once we acknowledge this, our problem is half solved.”

The Islamic scholar also berated professionals for delving into politics for their selfish interest, calling on them to leave politics to politicians.

“In Nigeria, you see Engineers, Doctors, and academia leaving their work for politics just because they want quick money so that they can have billions of naira within a short period. This isn’t good for the development of Nigeria.

“Most people delve into politics not for the interest of the masses but for their personal gains. Look at what is happening in Rivers state. The state doesn’t belong to Nyesom Wike but the entire people of the state but the former governor wants to take it as his personal property. These is abysmal and undemocratic.”

The cleric, who also frowned at the spate of recent killings across Ondo State, called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to swing into action by empowering all the security agencies, especially the state Security Network Agency, Amotekun to curtain criminal elements in the state.

“The primary responsibility of a responsible government is the protection of life and prosperity,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel, Ondo NUJ, Tosin Ajuwon said fostering religious tolerance, promoting peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths are some of the constitutional responsibilities of journalists, hence the need for putting up the event by the chapel.

Ajuwon said; “as we fast and pray, we are all experiencing the hardship in the country. There is now a wide gap between the rich and the poor as a result of our economic challenges. The poverty level is so high, and hardly could people afford their daily needs. It’s a difficult period and worsening situation in our dear country.

“And without missing words, this could easily be linked to the type of leadership we have by providing solutions to the numerous problems, including poverty that are confronting us in the country.”

Similarly, the Chairman, the planning committee and the state Vice Chairman of NUJ, Hakeem Gbadamosi said the essence of the event was to re-awaken Muslims, particularly during the month of Ramadan, to the teachings of Islam.

“As we embark on Ramadan, the correspondents’ chapel and journalists in the state want to reaffirm our unyielding support for the rights and religious freedoms of all Nigerians. We will continue to stand against any force of division or oppression, as we are committed to promoting peace, justice, and equality for all.

“However, while we observe this month in peace, we must not forget the millions of people fighting and struggling to survive the economic hardship, which led to the choice of the theme for today’s lecture, Ramadan: Islam, leadership and good governance, Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Challenges,” Gbadamosi said.