Oyo State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday held the annual Ramadan Lecture and National Prayers program at its Ibadan Office in Agodi.
The program was well graced with dignitaries from different spheres and was interspersed with Islamic recitations, prayers sessions for the country, songs for the holy prophet and other activities that made the event even more colourful.
The State Director, Dr. Olukemi Afolayan Owolabi was the Chief host with Dr. Adams Olufemi Akewula, a senior lecturer from the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies of the University of Ibadan, as the guest lecturer. The theme of the lecture was “Managing Hard Time: Islamic Perspective
In her speech, the state director, Dr. Olukemi Afolayan reminded all that the month of Ramadan teaches kindness and extending helping hands to one another, she admonished everyone to imbibe the spirit of giving and supporting their fellow brothers. She beseech every citizen that “as we are fasting, we should also remember to pray for the unity and progress of our country”. She further advised as written in the Holy Quran on the importance of giving alms to the poor and being kind to those in need including the widows in our various communities.
Dr. Olufemi Akewula in his lecture highlighted the key features in the old standard of living to pontificate where Nigeria was coming from to the present state, how comfortable we were living in the past until we got to where we are now. He also made reference to the present difficult state we find ourselves and how we can live to manage the hard times.
Dr. Akewula advised Nigerians to ask for forgiveness and live according to the will of Allah. He said “Everyone should be mindful of their responsibilities and task at hand including those in academics artisans, politicians and public servants. He charged citizens to tolerate each other during this Ramadan and beyond
“If we tolerate ourselves during the hard times, there’s so much that a Muslim should do. They should take Ramadan as a template of their life, they share what they have, they don’t go against the will of God and be orderly and law abiding. He added that “if they can do this for 29 or 30 days, the remaining eleven months, they can inculcate the habit into their lives and will gladly share whatever they have.”
Other dignitaries and special guests include, top functionaries of government Departments and Agencies who gave moving goodwill messages.
Dignitaries and Special Guests Include: Alhaji Moharuf Owolabi, Distinguished retirees: Former State Director – Baale Olooka, Oloye Mashood Olalaye, Alhaji Y. D. Ashiru, Mrs. Olajide Abass, Alhaji R.O. Yusuf, Mrs Akanji and Imam Adebayo Adewale.
Deputy State Director, NOA – Prince Sola Sanda
Head of Admin and Finance – Mr Akanbi
PRS – Mrs Akande
Auditor – Miss Sade Adegbaju
Accountant – Mr. Odeleye
AUPCTRE – Mr Yusuf Adewale
Iwajowa Local Government Chairman, Oyinloye Jelili Adebare
The Representatives of sister MDAs such as:
INEC, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Public Complain Commission (PCC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Police Commission, Federal Secretariat Mosque, NECO, NTA, FOWMAN and other Islamic Organizations, Oyo State Youth Council, National Council of Women Society, Radio Nigeria – FRCN.
National Council of Women Society (Egbeda) – Mrs Kemi Sanusi
NEWS – Elewude Elizabeth
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Ido Chapter, Ojo Ezekiel
Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Apete – Engr. Akin Akinniyi
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) – Evangelist Olalere Omoola
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) – AbdSalam AbdQuadri
Zonal Director, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) – Mrs Azeezat T. Atinsola
Ibadan North Chief Imam – Alh. Busairi J. P
Egleda, Chief Imam – Alh. AbdQadr Olagunju
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ibadan SoithEast – Mrs Oyetunji O. O
Nigeria Correctional Center, Zonal Commander, Mudashir A. S
Chief Imam, Ona-Ara, Azeez Dauda
Federal Secretariat Muslim Council, Adedoja Abdkabir
Federal Secretariat, Chief Imam – Bashiru Abioye
Secretary of Federal Secretariat – Engr. Okin Ibrahim
Nigerian Correctional Service Secretariat, Zone F, Hdqtr -AbdulSalam Afeez
