Muslim group counsels FG on fight against poverty

THE Federal Government has been called upon to come up with “clear-cut economic policies” to ameliorate poverty and inequality being faced by Nigerians.

A lecturer at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Dr Sanusi Lafiagi, made the call last weekend in Ilorin while delivering a lecture titled ‘Renewed Hope: Charting a Positive Path for Nigeria’s Future – Islamic Perspective’ at this year’s elective conference of the Kwara district of The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions.

Dr Lafiagi advised the Federal Government to embrace saving of oil earnings for rainy days to be economical with what it consumes.

“Nigeria should learn to save oil earnings and not engage in sharing of the ‘national cake’ at all times in order to save the country from economic quagmire,” he said.

The don, who commended the present administration on the savings made from the fuel subsidy removal, encouraged the government to invest in agriculture, check insecurity and reduce dependence on oil and focus on non-oil export.

He also urged the Federal Government to prioritise Nigerians’ basic needs, especially healthcare.

According to him, allowing local governments to operate optimally can also help to enhance security and promote socio-economic development at the grassroots “since the people would be in charge of their own affairs at that level”

“The federal and state governaments should de-emphasise frivolous spending in the form of severance packages for outgoing political officeholders, shun corruption and promote the welfare of public workers. Corruption thrives among civil servants because there is no welfare for public workers.

“The government should also prioritise social investment programmes to improve lives of low-earning persons in the country, as we have in zakat in Islam,” Lafiagi said, noting that the common people are going through a lot of hardship in the country.

The university teacher asked the government to engage youths in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes to make them self-reliant, saying that the National Youth Service Corps scheme should also be reviewed to include programme that would inculcate entrepreneurial culture in the members.

Lafiagi stated that the hope of Nigerians were dashed under the last administration and emphasised the need for the people to renew their hope and pray for the success of the current administration.

He said: “This administration needs to succeed or else it becomes a big insult to us, Muslims. We know the religious bigotry, hatred and all other things that we went through during the electioneering.

“So, we pray Allah to guide our president, our governors to do what is right for the country and take us to great heights.

“God wants us to learn leadership and followership from our salat (worship). If we want to move forward or succeed as a nation, there must be establishment of leadership and followership tradition for us to be united and achieve our common goals.

“For instance, only the competent can lead salat; it is not by age or size. In salat, when the imam loses the validity of his ablution, he leaves and the next in command takes charge. But in our own clime, politicians stay put despite their failings.

“Also, we should not leave democracy for others. We must always participate in it as Muslims. And we should be involved in the grooming of the next set of leaders. The process starts now.”

He said Nigeria had had the misfortune of having accidental leaders and people who were not prepared for leadership since 1999, adding that “this is the first time Nigeria would have someone who was really prepared to lead the country, and may Allah guide him.”

He encouraged President Bola Tinubu to avoid the appointment of people who lack capacity, credibility and integrity into his cabinet and as aides, saying that round pegs should be put in round holes.