The Chief Missioner of Nasrul-lahi-l-fatih Society (NASFAT), Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, has advised the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to select competent and sincere individuals and people of like minds to run his administration with him.
Onike who stated this in his 1444/2023 eid-ul fitr message said the Noble Prophet emphasises the essence of a good companionship.
“Narrated Abu Musa: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith’s bellows (or furnace); from the first (friend) you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof,” he stated .
He added that the choice of ministers, advisers, among others, could make or mar the incoming administration’s goals.
Quoting an Arab proverb, Onike said, “Choose) the friend before (choosing) the road”, just as he prayed Allah to guide the President-Elect in choosing right associates.
The chief missioner also implored the president-elect to make deliberate efforts and be highly intentional in healing the wounds of ethnic and religious bigotry introduced into the recently concluded elections by some self-seeking politicians.
“Never again should Nigerians allow divisive tendencies to be implanted into Nigerian politicking. We have always been defined by religious tolerance, while divide and rule tactics are not in our dictionary,” he said.
He also advised Muslims that their success in doing a lot of good deeds and shunning vices during Ramadan showed that the seemingly angelic acts could continue after Ramadan.
“The holy scripture says, “and worship your Lord until the last moment (of your life) that will most certainly come (Q15:99),” he added.
Onike advised Muslim faithful to be conscious of the spirit of Eid-ul fitr, which inter alia are to praise Allah for successful ending of Ramadan, to share and demonstrate brotherhood via the vehicle of zakat-ul fitr etc.
He further prayed Allah to continue to make peace, tranquility and mutual love reign supreme in Nigeria.
[Leadership]
