By Our Reporter
As Muslims across the globe continue to bask in the euphoria of this year’s Eid Al-Adha, a traditional ruler, Islamic clerics, and faithful individuals in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State have showered encomiums on the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Bamidele Omoleye, for putting smiles on the faces of the people in the area.
The clerics, who spoke separately while receiving rams and other largesse distributed by the Local Government Chairman in their different homes, lauded the initiative, describing it as unprecedented.
“Eid Al-Adha, a ritual where Muslims sacrifice animals seeking the pleasure of Allah, this year’s rite came at a difficult time when people are struggling to escape the grip of inflation and other biting economic hardships.”
“As a show of compassion and benevolence, our humanitarian Chairman doled out rams to all clerics and a traditional ruler across all wards of our local council to provide succor and cushion the effect of the biting economic conditions, I think this is unprecedented”.
“We really appreciate this show of love.” The clerics prayed that Almighty Allah would grant his regime the enablement to do more for the people and a good lease of life for all citizens of the area”.
The benefiting clerics also lauded the Chairman’s gesture, adding that he has proved that leadership is not only about power and authority to command but about the confidence and happiness one puts in the minds of his people, a trait they said is only exhibited by legends.
The Chairman, in a statement, explained that the gesture was borne out of his desire to put smiles on the faithful faces and enable them, especially the Islamic Leaders in the area, to have a joyous and memorable Sallah celebration.
“As a show of compassion and benevolence to humanity, we have doled out some packages, including rams, to Muslims, clerics, and a traditional ruler across all wards of Ido/Osi Local Government.”
“The packages were shared to provide succor and cushion the effect of the biting economic conditions. They were meant to cater to our religious leaders and traditional ruler during this festival.”
According to him, a responsible government owes its citizens a duty to put smiles on their faces during festivals, which includes providing palliatives and gift items by distributing essential goods, food items, or gift packages to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, widows, and low-income families.
“I must say this is not charity; we are doing this to further ensure our electioneering campaign promises are diligently carried out. We have made it a point of duty to make certain that our religious leaders are carried along in the scheme of things and accord them a pride of place in our administration.”
“By taking these steps, I believe we are being responsible as a government to help create a joyful and celebratory atmosphere, putting smiles on the faces of our people during these festivals, particularly as prices of commodities are soaring higher daily in Nigeria.”
“So in these challenging times, we must do more than pray for our people; we must show up for them with action. That is why this intervention is not charity; it is a duty.”
He used the opportunity to urge all Muslims to seize the moment of the Eid-Al-Adha festival to pray for his administration at the local government, the state, and the nation in this critical time of insecurity and economic downturn.
He also called for unity and harmony among the good people of Ido/Osi, the state, and Nigeria as a whole.