Kunle Adelabu
-Reaching out to constituents with special Ramadan, LASG relief packages
The Ramadan message from the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Bolanle Oyeniran Agunbiade, that those wielding power should exercise it with good conscience is not only coming from somebody who understands what power is but a ranking lawmaking officer who also wields same.
Hon. Agunbiade, who is a four-term lawmaker and the only politician in the annals of Ikorodu Division history to have sought and got the mandate of his people on four different occasions, gave the warning in a release he signed in commemoration of the 10th edition of his annual Ramadan lecture and Iftar programme.
The ranking lawmaker said that this year’s edition of the annual lecture and feeding of Muslims during fasting period will be non – congregational due to the Coronavirus epidemic that is ravaging the country and world at large.
He stated that May 6 had been slated for this year’s edition with the theme, “Powerless Conscience ln The Hands Of Conscienceless Power”, and scheduled to be delivered by seasoned Islamic scholar and Chief Imam of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Sheikh (Dr) Abdul-Lateef Abdul-Akeem.
“Were it not for the battle against COVID – 19 that has imposed social distancing as a precaution at this period, we would have been preparing for the 10th edition of our annual Ramadan Lecture and Iftar (feeding of faithful)”, Hon. Agunbiade stated.
“We had proposed May 6th for the lecture themed: “Powerless Conscience ln The Hands Of Conscienceless Power”, and scheduled to be delivered by the seasoned Islamic Lecturer Sheik (Dr) Abdul -Lateef Abdul-Akeem”.
Agunbiade stated that the theme of the 10th anniversary of the annual event is aimed at encouraging victims of arbitrary use of power and charged them to trust in God for redress.
He also expressed regret that the pandemic has prevented Muslim faithful from gathering for this year’s edition of the much anticipated lecture, while he also advocate social distancing and strict adherence to other measures stipulated in curtailing the spread of the deadly virus.
“The theme was borne out of inspiration to encourage every victim of power game or arbitrary use of power, (in all forms) not to despair as God is always bending the knee of conscience-less power for powerless conscience. Examples are replete in the Holy Quran”, he stated.
“Sadly, this lecture will not hold in congregation because we have to observe social distancing, I resolved, therefore, to post the theme for our individual appraisal and see how it applies to us and our state in life”.
Hon Agunbiade charged people holding power at every level to use it with the fear of God and as a means of advancing humanity.
“Moreso, since everyone has one form of power or the other, we need to ponder and check how we apply our conscience to the power we hold and use.
“Does our use of power recognises humanity, equity, justice and fair play or do we use our power indiscriminately, assuming the seemingly status of God who only, cannot be questioned, yet exceptionally considerate in his use of supernatural powers on mankind?”, the ranking lawmaker asked.
“Therefore, be you head of community, head of family, captains of industries, head of institutions, associations or groups in different shades, I enjoin you to apply good conscience to the power you hold and use bearing in mind that all powers are mere privileges from God”, Hon. Agunbiade charged.
“In spite of the difficulties of this time, I assure that this year’s Iftar will still be activated, but as a special package for Muslim faithful and second round of personally procured relief packs for our non – Muslim brothers and sisters”, he said while announcing the second round of his relief packages for COVID – 19 lockdown which coincided with the Ramadan period”.
Hon. Agunbiade also announced that the distribution exercise for the special Ramadan relief packages would also be used to delivered the relief packages received from the state government for his constituents.
“We shall also use the opportunity to distribute the cartons of COVID – 19 relief packages received from the Lagos State Government for my constituency.
“As this package is loading, I wish all of us God’s abundant blessings, protection cast in steel and enduring grace during this Ramadan and beyond.
“Stay blessed and continue to stay safe”, Hon. Agunbiade prayed and charged”.
Meanwhile, members of the Onward Movement of Nigeria, the lawmaker’s machinery on Tuesday stated delivering special Ramadan packages to Islamic faithful and other vulnerable people in Ikorodu.
