In the spirit of peaceful coexistence, the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, has pledged to support the Muslim community in Ogbaru by helping them build a central mosque.
Hon. Ogene, who is the leader of the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives and chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, made the promise when he joined the Muslim community to break the Ramadan fast over the weekend.
Responding to the request of Chief Imam Abdul Majeed Oniyan for improved welfare for Muslim faithful in Ogbaru, Ogene assured them that they would be included in his democracy dividends package, just as he does for others in the constituency.
“Many of you have lived in Ogbaru for many years; you have given birth to your children here, and you conduct your businesses here. The constitution of our country allows any Nigerian to reside in any part of the country as a citizen of that area.
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“I do not favour one religion over another. You have requested a central mosque. If God keeps us alive next year, I will assist you in ensuring that you have a mosque,” Ogene pledged.
He urged Muslims to use the Ramadan fasting period to pray for peace and prosperity in Nigeria.
Earlier in his speech, Chief Imam Oniyan commended Ogene for joining them in breaking the Ramadan fast, noting that he was the first legislator in the federal constituency to identify with them during the holy month.
He assured Ogene that the visit had established a strong bond between him and the Muslim faithful in the area, promising that they would continue to pray for him in the mosque and support his political career.
“You can become the president of Nigeria. We are praying for you so that the sky will never be your limit. When you were campaigning for election, we prayed to Allah for His chosen candidate to win—and you won. Your presence here today shows that Allah chose you, and you have come to thank Him.
“Today marks the 21st day of our sacred month of Ramadan. We are using the Quran, verse 3:1446, to pray for you. We will support you in all your political endeavours. When we make a promise in the mosque, we do not go back on it,” the Islamic cleric assured Ogene.
During the visit, Ogene also donated various food items and cash to the Muslim faithful in the area.
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