Ekiti Muslims hold special prayers for Buhari, late gov Col Bawa

MUSLIMS in Ekiti State have organised special prayers for the ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, calling on the Almighty Allah to restore his health for the nation to witness peace in all spheres.

Also at the behest of political office holders during the administration of the first military administrator of the state, the late Col Inua Bawa, the Muslims also held 8-day Fidau prayers for the late military administrator.

Col Bawa was the military administrator in charge of Ekiti between 1996 when the state was created till 1998 when he was replaced by Navy Captain Atanda Yusuf.

Speaking at the special prayer held at the Central Mosque in Ado Ekiti at the weekend, the President General ,  League of Imams and Alfas in the South West , Edo and Delta, Alhaji Muhammad Jamiu Kewulere, said president Buhari remains the symbol of the nation who needs the prayers of all Nigerians at this trying period to overcome his health challenges.

“We need to pray for almighty Allah to restore the health of our President. He needs a lot of energy to lead Nigeria and this can only be provided by God. I believe that there is nothing God can’t do. He should make our president strong to be able to lead this nation to the promise land.”

Kewulere prayed for the family of the late Bawa, describing him as a selfless and courageous man, who served Ekiti with honesty and the fear of God.

Governor Ayodele Fayose was represented on the occasion by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Alhaji Dauda Ajise.

Also in attendance were former Governors Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni; a former deputy governor, Dr Sikiru Tae-Lawal and the late Col Bawa’s former Chief Press Secretary, Mr Biodun Akin-Fasae.

They described the former military administrator as a detribalised Nigerian, who did his best to uplift Ekiti in all facets.

Fayose said the State had promised to give a sum of N10 million scholarship to the children of the former military governor as an appreciation of his contributions to the development of the state.

Adebayo, the first executive governor of the state, who was represented by Chief George Ojo, said the solid foundation laid by Bawa during his reign  tremendously facilitated the smooth take off of his civilian administration.

Akin-Fasae said nothing was too much to appreciate the late Bawa by the people of the State, saying his selfless disposition to governance and spartan lifestyle helped in fast tracking development to Ekiti.

“Ekiti got as low as N80m monthly allocation under Col Bawa and we were paying salaries, tarring roads and helping the needy. He was so selfless and intelligent and all these helped our dear state in no small measures,” he said.