“What we are seeing today may be new to us but, it is in the very nature of Islam but practiced by our non-Muslim counterpart who enjoy this type of palliative not only in times like this but as now a right and their larger society fund it. If the Muslim Ummah takes care of its media practitioners, it helps high their standard and boost their morale.”
The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Lagos, Thursday handed out Eid-il-Fitr package to Muslim journalists in the state.
The items which included rice, halal chicken, milk, vegetable oil and packs of Malta Guinness were distributed to members across all the traditional and online media at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
The chairman of the Association, Alhaji AbdulKabir Garba, said the move was not only as a result of the lockdown occasioned by novel COVID-19 pandemic but mainly in fulfilment of Islamic injunction to give out during Ramadan and celebration of Eid-il Fitr.
Alhaji Garba, who led other executive members of the MMPN in the distribution said: “No doubt, Nigerians have been subjected to untold hardships including journalists as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, which eventually led to the lockdown and restriction of movements. The distribution of this package, however, was not only as a result of the current situation but in line with the Islamic injunction especially during Ramadan and celebration of Eid-il-Fitr.”
He stressed the need for Muslims to collaborate to ease the affairs of one another at a critical time like this.
The MMPN leader urged Muslims to always stay safe, obey government’s orders and precautionary measures towards curbing the spread of the pandemic.
He expressed appreciation to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Nasru-Lahi-l-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Jaiz Foundation, Guinness PLC, Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule, Alhaji Kayode Awobadejo, Amir of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, Dr Saheed Ashafa, Alhaji Tajudeen Uzamot, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Council Chairman, Dr Qasim Akinreti, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, among others, for their support in the procurement of items that were distributed.
The DEFENDER reports that members found Thursday’s Eid-il-Fitri package distribution, put together by the Kabir Garba-led Lagos MMPN leadership, so highly spirit lifting as they were ostensibly appreciative of the gestures.
Chairman, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) Lagos State, Alhaji Kabir Alabi Garba, right, assisted by his Vice Chairman, Alhaji Abdulfattah Olajide, left, presenting Eid-il-Fitr Package to members during MMPN’s distribution of Eid-il-Fitr packs to members in Lagos, on Thursday May 21, 2020.
One of them said, “It gives a feeling that while one serves Islam the journalism way, he is appreciated by the Muslim Ummah and we are grateful for this and urge it continues”.
He added, “What we are seeing today may be new to us but, it is in the very nature of Islam but practiced by our non-Muslim counterpart who enjoy this type of palliative not only in times like this but as now a right and their larger society fund it. If the Muslim Ummah takes care of its media practitioners, it helps high their standard and boost their morale.
“While we are only restoring what we are supposed to have been doing to ourselves, funded by well-to-do individuals and business concerns in our Ummah and for the pick of all members, regardless of status as we can see here today, it will be great to really appreciate the executives of our association in Lagos State for being this dutiful and pray for them as they improve in years ahead,” ahead.
On ground to assist the MMPN State Chairman, Alhaji Garba at the event were Vice Chairman, Alhaji Abdulfattah Olajide, Alhaja Sekinah Lawal,. who is immediate past Chairman NAWOJ in Lagos State, and other executive members like Alhaji Ishola Balogun and Alhaji Tajudeen Adebanjo.
Another presentation during the event.
