Kunle Adelabu
His Eminence, Sheikh Yahya Olorunoshebi Oshoala ,Ajagbemokeferi, Ameer ul Muhminina As-Samadaani and the Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, Ikorodu, has said that Nigerians have reasons to be thankful to God despite the challenges facing the country.
The eminent Islamic scholar stated this in his statement to mark the 60th independence anniversary of the country, a copy of which was sent to THE IMPACT.
“We have every cause to always glorify Allah (SWT) for He has always been very good to us in Nigeria despite our waywardness, greed, insincerity and deviance to Him.
“The word of Allah (SWT) in Quran 16:61 says, “If Allah (SWT) were to punish men for their wrong doings, He would not leave on the (earth) a single creature but instead He gives them respite for a stated time”.
Sheikh Oshoala said that despite the abundance of human and material resources that the country is endowed with, many of its citizens are still far below poverty level.
He blamed the leadership and citizenry for the sorry state of the nation.
“It is unfortunate that despite the uncommon favours done to us by Allah (SWT) amongst all nations of the world ,we are celebrating our Diamond anniversary while we are living far below our age.
“The gods are not to blame so says Chinua Achebe of the blessed memory. Both our leaders and we, the led, are rotten, devilish and lack sincerity of purpose. Money is our lord; we worship it and power is our focus , nothing we cannot do to get power to accumulate money, to put all affairs under our dominion”, he said.
“To distract people’s attention from seeing our folly, we claim religion and ethnicity as our mechanism to plant hatred and enmity amongst ourselves.
“Tell me which religion or ethnic group that teaches greed, insolence, or injustice. But we hide under the two to be mischievous”.
He charged the majority of Nigerians to be politically wise and follow God’s instruction to change the narrative in the country.
“Not until we shine our eyes and be wise, we shall remain the victim of these few political armed robbers carting away our commonwealth to their domains for their children and children unborn to rear us and our children unborn as cattles .
“The antidote to this menace is to run back to God Who owns us in repentance and in obedience to Him.
“Not until we allow the words of God, our Creator, Qur’an and Bible and the words of elders known to be words of wisdom, to be our guide against the human made constitution which has never survived the test of time in Nigeria. No wonder we cry for constitution amendment and restructuring.
“The Holy Qur’an says “Allah (SWT) does not change a people’s lot unless they change what is in their hearts (Q, 13:11).
“My dear country men, “Hasten ye then (at once) to Allah SWT (God Almighty): I am just a Warner to you clear and open Q,51:50”, Sheikh Oshoala charged while quoting from the Holy Qur’an.
“I beseech Allah (SWT) to break the shackles and yolk of the devil in which we are. I beg of Him to deliver us, guide us and continue to bless us.
“Remember, Abraham said: Oh my Lord! Make this City one of peace and security and preserve me (us)and my son (our children) from worshiping idols ( money)”.
