Remain focused,  be hardworking, no shortcut to success – Popoola tells youth

*Says ‘your PVC is power, get one’

*Gifts galore as Lotus Bank, AIMS MEDIA celebrate Sallah with orphans, people with special needs

It was all fun and merry-making at Bab-Salam Homes recently as Lotus Bank in partnership with AIMS MEDIA Communication hosted orphans and children with special needs to a memorable and impactful Eid-ul-Adha Get-Together.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, AIMS MEDIA COMMUNICATION, Alhaji Tunde Popoola, called on those who have to always reach out to the needy in the society.

According to Alhaji Popoola, the lessons that this period taught us to believe absolutely in Allah and to be committed to our deen should not be lost on us.

“And my message to Nigerians is that we should fear Allah as he should be feared and to worship him as he is to be worshiped, we should uphold all his rules and regulations as he has advised us in the Qur’an and Hadith. We should be prayerful and we should shun all acts of terrorism, banditry, lawlessness and corruption because Allah frowns at all of these things and those things that make us to be far away from Allah.” Popoola advised Nigerians.

In his speech, Imam Hassan Idris Tahir, the Head of Bab-es-Salam Home, talked about the lessons of the season too which is for us to be submissive to Allah no matter the situation because whenever we submit to Allah, He will always show us the way out of our predicaments.

The Managing Director of Lotus Bank, Hajia Kafilat Araoye, Mrs Mosun Belo-Olusoga, founder, City of Knowledge Academy,  Mr Yinka Adebayo, MD, Media Reach and other dignitaries were all around to share their time and wealth of experience with the children.

Also speaking at the event, Hajia Amina Muhammad, MD/CEO of AIMS Media Company Limited said that the concept is Eid-ul-Adha get-together for orphans and children with special needs.

“We realize the fact that a lot of people that we are celebrating here today are often forgotten in the society. We then look out for people who are passionate about things like this, so we approach our partners, and almost immediately they bought into it.” Hajia Muhammad explained.

“We give thanks to almighty Allah for the success of the program because most of the gifts we packaged that we thought was in excess were all exhausted.

So we’ve come here to celebrate with the orphans and people with special needs.”

“We just felt that we should come, take the celebration to them to make them have a sense of belonging, we eat, play together, just like we have been witnessing since we came in here.”

It’s just for us to be a little bit selfless. It’s always good, when you have, learn to share, that is even the message of the season, you share.

“This can be seen in the case of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), where Allah swt commanded him to slaughter his son which is not anything easy for somebody who was having only one child that took him many years to have and Prophet Ibrahim submitted his son and Allah honoured them by replacing the son with Ram and also command the people to practice what Prophet Ibrahim (AS) did that time.” Imam Tahir explained.

“So one thing about submission to Allah is not something that when you do, it benefits Allah, it’s something that when you do, it benefits you because whatever we refer to as Ibaadah or whatever Allah command you to do, you benefit from them. For instance, part of serving Allah is not to take life unjustly and today a lot of lives have been wasted. Why? Because people are not obeying Allah, so Allah’s guidance are to give us a good life. So when we submit to Allah, definitely a lot of things will change for us positively.

Speaking on the coming 2023 election, Imam Tahir advised everyone to follow the lay down Islamic guidelines in choosing leadership, because as Muslims, at whatever point in time, Islam will definitely be what guides us as to whatever we do.

He advised everyone to relate with people, irrespective of religion,  creed, race or ethnic background, with genuine love and and for Allah’s sake. “So as Muslims, we should do whatever we do sincerely thinking about Allah.”

For instance, part of serving Allah is not to take life unjustly and today a lot of lives have been wasted. Why? Because people are not obeying Allah, so Allah’s guidance are to make us have a good life. So when we submit to Allah, definitely a lot of things will change for us positively.

“Alhamdulillah we are fulfilled and the children are also happy. We appeal to corporate organizations and even individuals that are even more buoyant than corporate organisations to reach out to the needy in our society. It’s just for us to be a little bit selfless, not to think of ourselves alone, we should think of those who will also need, so while we are celebrating, like the little drama we watched, I mean the children illustrated it, somebody was showing off with a lot of cows and rams while others couldn’t even afford one.

“So, it’s always good, when you have, learn to share, that is the message of the season, you share, you give to others from what Allah has blessed you with and that is what Islam preaches. When you know the principle of Zakat, it bridges the gap between the rich and the poor. So, when those who have give to those who don’t have, there will be less crime in the society, there will be peace in the society and there will be peaceful co-existence for all. So I encourage everybody to always look out for those who don’t have and give without them asking.

“As Muslims, at whatever point in time, Islam should definitely be what guides you as to whatever you do and as a Muslim.

“We all are suppose to assist others within our means, Allah says be good to others the way he is good to you. So, as the Prophet says in one Hadith that; “save yourself from the hell even if it is half of a date”, so within your capacity, assist others because one thing we must understand is that Allah relate with us according to how we relate with others. If you want Allah to be merciful to you, be merciful to others. The Prophet (S.A.W) also said that “the one who doesn’t show mercy, he too won’t see mercy.”

“Allah helps his servant as long as his servant is helping others. So virtually, your relationship with others  have connection with how Allah also treats you.” Imam Tahir concluded.

Popoola further reminded all to respect their Creator, obey his injunctions, persevere and be patient, as Allah will definitely grant our heart desires.

“My particular message to the youths in particular is not to give up, remain focused and be hardworking, there is no shortcut anywhere. We have seen all the Prophets of Allah that he mentioned in the glorious Qur’an, we’ve seen what they’ve gone through. There’s nobody that will not have challenges. When we work hard, pray and remain focused, Allah will then confer his favor on those hard work, those things.” He advised.

As election year approaches, Popoola advised Nigerians that in terms of choosing leaders, great qualities in leaders should be the deciding factors and not religion or ethnicity because Nigeria at this point in time needs God-fearing leaders with experience and good vision.

“We need leaders that can be just and will be fair to each and everyone of us and therefore, I will want us to look out for the leader that can take us to the promised land, the land of prosperity, security, peace and the land where employment will be for everyone, the land where people will be able to go about their duties without fear or favour. A land full of milk and honey.

“Therefore, we should not apply sentiment, emotions, tribalism in all our decisions when it comes to making our choices, the choice we should make should be the choice of those who will represent us well, who will be fair to us and who will be just. We know that leadership and welfare of the citizens, go hand in hand.”

Speaking on apathy towards politics among Nigerians,  he urged every adults to be fully involved in politics and have active participation.

“There are two levels of active participation. First, you can contest election into any elective post and if you don’t even want to do that, then you should come out to vote, if you don’t come out to vote, then you contribute to what you call unpopular government because it’s only those who vote that will be counted.

“So you cannot sit at home and be doing analysis on television and expect to produce good leadership, if you want good leader, then you will have to go and register first and collect your voter’s card and then you are empowered. Luckily for us, we practice democracy in Nigeria,  which means we have the right to choose people who will represent us where we are not operating an oligarchy or a monarchy where someone will just impose somebody on us.

“Since we have that privilege to choose who will represent us, then you cannot complain if you don’t come out. So I urge all Nigerians especially those that have never voted before, who always think we don’t want to be part of it or that our votes will not count.

“We have seen a lot of improvement in our electoral process and we’ve seen the commitment that INEC has brought to the table, even the federal government led by President Buhari has given a lot of commitment to allow them to have free hands so that people who win will be the one to be declared.

“So it’s left to us as citizens to go out, collect our voter’s cards and on the day of every election, even if it is local government election, we should all go out and vote for the candidates of our choice based on great ideas, leadership principles and practices they have displayed based on their experience, knowledge about them, not about any other sentiments.”

Other invited schools and associations that joined Bab-es-Salam Home were Pacelli School for The Blind, Deaf Women Association of Nigeria, Baytu Sakinah Home, Halal Children’s Home, At-Tanzeel Schools, Great Khalifah College and Al-Musineen Cradle and College.

Cross sections of children spoken to from the invited schools commended Lotus Bank and other sponsors for giving them a sense of belonging and showing them love.

Children had fun with impactful lectures from many dignitaries in attendance,  annasheed presentation,  choreography,  treasure hunt, quiz competition, outdoor games with various gift items for all the children in attendance.