By Busola Samuel
The Progressive Muslim Council (PMC) in Ondo State has said that the term of reference for their representatives in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Administration of Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State is to ensure that the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) succeed in his effort to bring change to socio-economic life in the state.
Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Nureni Akorede, who posted this in his comment on its social media platform, said the visits to the four Muslim commissioners in their respective offices particularly the visit to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, on Monday, had meaningful discussions bothering how the four Muslim commissioners should be good example in government guided by the guidance laid down by Allah for any public officer wishing to succeed in the life of this world and the hereafter.
In the comment, Akorede said PMC appreciated the warm reception accorded its executive members who visited them in their offices.
He said, “Progressive Muslim Council Ondo State appreciates the Hon. Commissioner for Health for reception of the group’s excos during the courtesy visit to his office.”
During the visit, Nureni Akorede said, “issues of mutual benefits were discussed, importantly about our commitment to stand firm with our amiable Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu for his successful governance.”
He added, “You will recall that similar visits were made to our own Commissioners for Natural Resources, Culture and Tourism and Works and Infrastructure. We pray that Allah continues to make them good Ambassadors of Islam in this dispensation and beyond,” he said.
A missioner in the group, Hadji Moshood Hasubunallah, corroborated the chairman’s comment saying, “Humility and magnanimity of our Muslim appointees know no bound. We will still be looking forward for the result of our discussions with them, while we continue to remind them what Allah says in the Holy Qur’an chapter 28 verse 77.”
By Qur’an chapter 28 verse 77 the Progrssive Muslim Council may have respectively reminded the four Muslim Commissioners that Governor Akeredolu appointed from among them that they guide themselves against corruption and stand as good example to others in government.
The Qur’an says: “But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters).”
Additionally Akorede said, “As representatives of the people of the state, and as practicing Muslims, they (the commissioners) will, masha Allah, keep to their words.”
Governor Akeredolu, through Rt. Hon. Victor Adekanye Olabimtan, the Director-General, Akeredolu Campaign Organisation, had told The DEFENDER in a report published it early this year that the governor was disposed to addressing the concern of Ondo State Muslims over the need for inclusion of Muslim participation in his government.
Akeredolu did not only address the alleged marginalisation of Muslims in the successive administrations of the past but also, he gave to the Muslims slots in state appointments which no governor had ever done and this gesture has been greatly appreciated by the Progressive Muslim Council, which now tells the Muslim appointees to live up to the expectation of their appointments.
The DEFENDER reports that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, a committed Christian, did not just appoint anybody but ensure that worthy ambassadors of the Ondo State Muslim Community who are exceptional both in the consciousness of the Islamic faith and are progmfessionals in their respective fields were those he appointed and who are members of the state’s Progressive Muslim Council (PMC).
