Clerics pray for Buhari at Aso Rock

Muslim scholars yesterday, at a Ramadan lecture held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja prayed for President Muhammadu Buhari’s quick recovery.

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

The president’s wife, Aisha, 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, 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 practise what they preached.

He affirmed that the present government was fulfilling its promise to fight 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 is the antidote to corruption.

He listed this as including fear of God, patience and perseverance, sense of accountability on the day of judgement, personal discipline, austerity, truthfulness and honesty.

The Chief Missioner for Ansaruddeen Society of Nigeria and keynote speaker, Dr Abdulrrahman Ahmed said the nation was “witnessing moral and economic downturn” because of its ingratitude for God’s blessings.