The three tiers of government in Nigeria have been urged to assiduously work towards bringing the teeming youth out of the ravaging poverty that has driven a good number of them into crimes and criminality by empowering them and providing employment opportunities for them.
The admonition was given over the weekend by an Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Mohammed Farisi Solati, at the special prayers organised by stakeholders in Ilorin West Local Government Area in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s successful two years in office.
The Cleric, who rued the seemingly intractable insecurity ravaging the nation, said the restive youth need all the support that can be mustered, not only from government, but also from well heeled individuals and corporate bodies towards making them self reliant and useful citizens.
He said: “The youth are not all bad and if we can give them necessary support, employment and empowerment, they will become less restive and be productive to contribute their quota to the growth and development of our nation and we will all live and coexist peacefully as in the days of yore.
“The youth deserve mercy and empathy from us as leaders and all hands must be on deck to bring them up properly in the way of God and there will be peace and harmony in the society.”
He decried those beating the drum of separatism and secession and urged them to retrace their steps, saying it is better for Nigeria, as it is, to remain together.
Two other clerics in their separate admonitions lauded Governor AbdulRazaq for the feat recorded by his administration in various sectors in the last two years, praying Allah to continue to imbue him with the wisdom, strength and good health he required to pilot the state in the remaining two years of his first tenure.
They called on the people of the state to continue to support his administration and be patient, saying it is easy to destroy, but not easy to build. According to them: “what Governor AbdulRazaq is repairing in the state now, were rots of several years. We need to be patient, cooperate and continue to give him all the needed support to build Kwara state of our dreams.”
Leading the prayer, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, prayed for the success of AbdulRazaq’s administration in the remaining two years of his first tenure and called on the people to continue to render their cooperation and support.
He said: “Whoever does what God wants, it is certain that God will do whatever that person wants for him. Governor AbdulRazaq is doing what God wants and it is the reason hi is doing well and succeeding. So, let us all do good, support and pray for our leaders as admonished by the Almighty God.”
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
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