Chairman of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Ondo State, and former Deputy National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hon (Comrade) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja has sent message to Muslims as the 2020 Ramadan kicks off throughout the world.
Akinlaja who represented Ondo East and West Federal Constituency at the National Assembly for two consecutive terms said as Muslims begin the Ramadan, they should use the opportunity to pray for the nation at this precarious period of Coronavirus that has wrecked many havoc on humanity.
In a statement made available to the media and personally signed by him on Saturday, the astute labour leader who once served as General Secretary of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) stated Muslims during this period of deep spiritual introspection should pray to Almighty Allah for the peace, healing, prosperity, progress, love and unity of our country.
The statement read in full:
“Muslims Should Use Ramadan To Seek God’s Face For Global Healing, Peace and Tranquility
As the Ramadan fast begins, I enjoin all Muslim brothers and sisters in Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole to use this period of deep spiritual introspection to pray to Almighty Allah for the peace, healing, prosperity, progress, love and unity of our country.
Whilst you demonstrate submission to Almighty by refraining from food and water from dawn until sunset, I implore you to rededicate yourself to God in your engagements in increased prayer and study of the holy Qur’an.
It is my hope and prayer that the virtues of love and tolerance that the holy Qur’an teaches will guide all Nigerians and help harness the very great potentials that are domiciled within the Nigerian people and our land.
I am also using this opportunity to urge all our Muslims across the globe to use this spiritual exercise to seek the face of God in putting an end to the scourge of Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world, causing sickness, deaths and ruining global economies.
I further plead that prayers should also be extended to all frontline workers especially health care givers, Petroleum workers, law enforcement agents, and others on essential duties at a time like this.
Ramadan during coronavirus may seem disheartening but it’s the most ideal time for reflection.
In addition, do not hesitate to strictly adhere to all preventive measures and protocols already put in place, like good personal and respiratory hygiene, social isolation laws, constant use of personal protective equipment and avoiding non essential movement. All these and more will help us to win the war against the deadly pathogen scientifically, physically and spiritually.
To all the members of Zenith Labour Party in Ondo State and Nigeria at large, your unalloyed loyalty, commitment, dedication and sacrifice to the party are deeply appreciated and rest assured the leadership of the party at all levels will never let you down as we continue in our purposeful journey. I wish you success and victory will never elude us all.
Finally, I wish all Muslim faithful a successful Ramadan fast and may Allah keep us all to the end of this period so we can celebrate God’s abounding goodness towards us together. Ramadan Kareem.”
