Continue to pray for peace, harmony in Oyo, Deputy Gov charges residents

…attends first Jumaat Service as deputy gov

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulroheem Adebayo Lawal, on Friday, called on the people of the state to continue to maintain peace and harmony, while continuously praying for the same in the state.

Lawal said this while addressing newsmen shortly after attending a Jumat Prayer held at the Oja’ba Central Mosque, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, his first since being sworn-in as the Deputy Governor.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Deputy Governor as saying that he attended the Jumat prayer to worship and to thank Allah SWT on his elevation to the position of Deputy Governor.

He said: “As I have indicated, I came here this afternoon to worship with the Muslim Community in this very important mosque in Ibadanland to appreciate God for counting me worthy of my new position in the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde .

“My short message is for us, as Muslims, to keep maintaining peace, tranquility and to keep praying for good governance to continue in Oyo State. That is the short message, apart from making supplications to Almighty Allah to grant us further peace in the state.”

He added that the Governor Makinde-led administration is known for peace, praying that Almighty Allah will continue to grant the state further peace.

“This administration is for peace and there is no other way we can achieve that or continue to achieve that except by prayers. Nigeria is in turmoil – banditry, kidnapping and all sort of crimes. If you isolate Oyo State, you will discover that the crime rate here is at its lowest ebb and we want to maintain that.

“There is no other thing we can aspire to achieve if the security is not there. As Muslims, we must continue to pray for stability, peace and prosperity.”

In his sermon, the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheik Abdul-Ganiy Agbotomokekere, said that life is vanity, admonishing Muslims to be pious in their dealings, as according to him, every soul shall give account of their deeds on earth.

Those in attendance at the Jumat service include the Head of Service, Alhaja Amidat Ololade Agboola; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Abdulrahman Abdulraheem; Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni; Special Adviser on Security, COMPOL Fatai Owoseni (rtd); Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ademola Ige and other top government functionaries.