By Sanusi Abdullahi Oyelekan.

The Patriots Advancement for Good Leadership (Also known as Political Awareness Group, PAG), a socio-religious body of Muslim professionals, academics, and artisans has congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the 30-day Ramadan fast.

This was contained in a congratulatory statement to the Muslim Ummah titled “LET THE PAINS END” as released to the newsmen on Tuesday evening by its Chairman, Lukman Tunde Fasasi (PhD) saying, ‘the period, no doubt, called for a full consciousness of the mightiness of Allah and dedication to acts of philanthropy. It was a period of sobber reflection when devilish acts and evil thoughts were banished’.

In his statement, he stated that “Muslims are therefore reminded of the need to sustain the lessons learnt during the period that has made our world a better place to live. The brotherhood and good neighbourliness, where the affluent care for the indigent, should be strengthened. The leadership of PAG recognises the care and support of government, organisations, and individuals who have provided palliatives to the people to ease the socio-economic challenges experienced during the Ramadan fast.

The chairman further stated, “We cannot but specifically mention the supports from the Federal Government, through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ programme, the joint and individual palliatives distributed by the three Oyo State – Senators Abdul-Fatai Buhari, Yunus Akintunde, and Sarafadeen Ali – and the collaborative and coordinated efforts of some Muslim organizations and leaders like the Aare Muslumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola, the Muslim Community of Oyo State, led by Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, Asiwaju Adeen of Oyo State, Alhaji Mutiu Oladejo (Onimaalu), the leadership of the Supreme Council for Sharia, led by Sheikh Isa Akindele, and many other notable individuals. May Allah reward you all abundantly. He used the opportunity to beckon the Oyo state government to show more concern for the plight of the common man as the economic hardship bites harder.

“We are unaware of any palliative distributed on behalf of the state government to the fasting Muslims who the governor acknowledged contributed about 70% to his electoral victory at the polls. Let the government be seen to be fair and sensitive to the plight of the masses, Muslims inclusive,’ Dr. Fasasi reiterated.

The PAG Chairman calls on Governments at all levels to adopt policies and programmes that will guarantee food security, reduce the cost of living, and thus improve the citizens’ standard of living. According to him, ‘there must be governmental structures to combat the ravaging poverty being experienced due to the removal of subsidies being paid on petroleum resources and the effect of epileptic power supply on the cost of doing business in Nigeria as there is hope that the poor masses shall benefit from the acclaimed transformation agenda of the Federal Government to reposition the economy for the good of all.

He said the group agrees with the saying that ‘no pain no gain’ but the poor should not be made to bear greater pains when the government has not demonstrated efficiency in the exorbitant cost of governance.

“We acknowledge the improvement in national security, the falling exchange rate of dollars to naira, and the support to private businesses, yet more needs to be done to reduce the inflation rate, currently at double digits, which has affected prices of consumer goods beyond the reach of the common man. The government should also endeavour to guarantee the safety of Nigerians in every nook and cranny of the country,” he further said.

While thanking Allah for the lives of those who have witnessed the completion of the Ramadan fast, the group sees reason to remember the souls of those who pleased Allah to take to the world beyond.

The group specially remembers the Mother of Senator AbdulFatai Omotayo Buhari who departed this world on the last day of the Ramadan fast and prays Allah to forgive Mama of her sins while on earth and admit her to Aljannah Firdaus, and the departed souls of other Faithfuls.

Muslims are further reminded of the need for discipline, self-restraint, and devotion to Islamic creeds. They are advised to remain steadfast, and exemplary through the adoption of legitimate means to survive, and stay away from all criminal activities as they joyfully celebrate the Eid- El- Fitri.

In its final notes, the group appeals for internal peace and unity amongst the Muslims as aligned with the sayings of the Prophet Mohammed (Sallallahu Alahi wa Salam) that ‘differences in opinions amongst my Ummah is a blessing’.

END.