Aisha Buhari, Imam Suleiman, Imam Ahmad, others pray for Buhari at Aso Rock Ramadan Lecture

*Essential purpose of Ramadan is antidote to corruption – BUK Don, Salisu Shehu

*Nigeria’s ingratitude for God’s blessings reason for moral, economic downturn – Abdulrahman Ahmad

Dr. Ahmad said with such ingratitude, the country lost out of favour with Allah and “that is why we are witnessing a moral and economic downturn.”  He called on Nigerians to be good citizens so that the blessings will return.  But, as he said, “Since things didn’t go wrong overnight, they should not be expected to go right overnight.”

Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari attended a Ramadan Lecture held Thursday at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, where prominent Muslim clerics including the Chief Imam of the State House Mosque, Sheikh Abdulwaheed Abubakar Suleiman, Chief Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Dr. Abdulrahman Ahmad among others prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari’s quick recovery.

The lecture, convened by the State House Chief Imam, Sheikh Suleiman, had as its theme, “The Holy Month of Ramadan: A Sober Reflection for All and Sundry”.

Mrs Aisha Buhari, accompanied by the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, was the special guest of honour at the event attended by wives of governors of Ogun, Kebbi and Nasarawa States.

Also in attendance were the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, Jigawa State Deputy Governor Ibrahim Hassan as well as traditional rulers.

In his lecture, titled; “The Lessons and Virtues of Ramadan as Antidote to Corruption and Indiscipline in Nigeria”, Professor Salisu Shehu, from Bayero University Kano, said Nigerian past leaders’ attempts to fight corruption failed because they did not practice what they preached.

He affirmed that the present government was fulfilling its promise of fighting corruption, noting that, “It is imperative to constantly discuss corruption especially at a time like this.”

The cleric, however, cautioned that unless there was adherence to the rule of law and justice, corruption would continue in the country.

He maintained that the essential purpose of Ramadan, containing what he listed as including fear of God, patience and perseverance, sense of accountability on the day of judgment, personal discipline, austerity, truthfulness and honesty, is the antidote to corruption.

The Chief Missioner for Ansaruddeen Society of Nigeria, Dr. Abdulrrahman Ahmad, who was Keynote Speaker at the religious event, identified the problem of Nigeria as emanating from its ingratitude to Allah over the blessings it has enjoyed as one of the countries with the highest potentials in the world.

Dr. Ahmad said with such ingratitude, the country lost out of favour with Allah and “that is why we are witnessing a moral and economic downturn.”

He called on Nigerians to be good citizens so that the blessings will return.

But, as he said, “Since things didn’t go wrong overnight, they should not be expected to go right overnight.”

Presentations were made by four eminent scholars who were united in discussing the virtues of Ramadan with regards to the problems of corruption, spousal relations, parenting and moral decadence among youths.

The four scholars identified the need for Nigerians to retrace their steps during this fasting period and become better citizens, to ensure that Nigeria gets back to work and builds a bright future.

Some goodwill speakers at the event, Hajiya Najaatu Mohammed and Mrs Farida Sada Yusuf, drew attention to the increasing spate of the rape of babies among citizens and called on the Muslim scholars to use the period of Ramadan tafsir to condemn and preach against such evil practice.

They also called for more robust prosecutions relating to the rape cases.