Don’t sacrifice governance for 2019 politicking, The Companion tells govt

AN organisation of Muslim men in business and the professions, The Companion, has asked government at all levels in the country not to shift attention from governance as activities towards the 2019 general election gather momentum.

The organisation, in Lagos at a press conference addressed by its new National Amir, Alhaji Thabit Sonaike, said the advice became necessary as the 2019 polls appear to be the preoccupation of every politician right now.

“Subtle campaigns have started and if care is not taken, the attention of political officeholders will be totally diverted from governance and this will further harm the economy which is gradually coming out of recession,” Sonaike said.

He, however, commended the Federal Government for the early presentation of the 2018 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly and called on the legislators to ensure a thorough and quick scrutiny of the budget proposal for signing into law by the end of the year.

The Companion leader challenged the National Assembly to “walk the talk about change” by avoiding any recess until after the conclusion of the budget debate.

Condemning the slavery in Libya where Nigerians and other nationals are victims, Sonaike said the development was a clarion call to leaders, particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa, to show more concern for the uplift of their citizens and the development of their economies.

He equally condemned the declaration by President Donald Trump of the United States of America recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

According to him, “we stand in support of global opposition to this move and call on the United States citizens to rise up against this move by President Trump to truncate the existing fragile peace in that part of the Middle East.

“The significance and historical antecedent of Jerusalem is too widely known for anybody to make attempt to re-write or appropriate the city. There is too much tension in the Middle East to start another controversy that may snowball into crisis in the region.”

Alhaji Sonaike declared that part of the organisation’s plan was to have physical presence in all states of Nigeria, and in line with the ambition, the Cross River State District would soon be inaugurated to join the existing five districts/branches nationwide – in Lagos, Oyo, Osun and Kwara states as well as in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In addition, the amir said, in line with the body’s focus on Da’wah and education, The Companion would be holding its 2017 edition of its annual youth leadership development programme tagged “Dawn Holiday Programme (DHP),” at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, Iseyin, Oyo State, from Saturday, 23 December, to Monday, 1 January, 2018.

“DHP is a 10-day camping programme designed as a platform for youth development and training in leadership, vocational and entrepreneurial skills as well as Islamic ethics and community service,” Sonaike added.