By YSO Olaniyi
Legal luminary and politician, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), has opined that Nigerians deserved special commendation and encouragement from governments and privileged persons in view of the degree of patience, resilience and adaptation they have demonstrated since the COVID-19 pandemic sneaked into the country.
Akintola, in his Eid-el-Fitr special message contained in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Friday by his Personal Assistant, Prince Olumuyiwa Akinbiyi, congratulated all Muslims in Oyo state and Nigeria as a whole for the successful completion of the 1441 A. H Ramadan fast which, according to him, came at an inauspicious time.
“This year, the holy month of Ramadan came at a time the whole world was being challenged by the unfortunate realities of the coronavirus pandemic. The global Muslim community was caught in between adjusting to a new life of restrictions, social distancing and lockdown on one hand as well as fulfilling key religious obligations on the other hand.
“Despite this, Muslim faithful in our society blended well and observed the month-long fasting with patience and understanding. Earlier, their Christian brethren had faced similar challenges during the tail end of the last Lenten Period and Easter celebrations. What this suggests is that Nigerians, as a people, are resilient and optimistic set of people who deserve encouragement at all times.
“As we join the rest of the world to celebrate the end of Ramadan fasting festival, we pray Allah to accept every act of worship put forward by all our Muslim brothers and sisters while at the time we supplicate to God to enable the world come up with a lasting solution to the pandemic which is still ravaging the universe as at this moment.” Akintola stated.
The one-time deputy speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and former gubernatorial aspirant in the 2019 general election under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state also felicitated with all Chief Imams and Alfas, particularly Alhaji AbduGaniyy Abubakre Agbotomokekere (The Imam of Ibadanland), Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta State, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola as well as all religious leaders, traditional rulers, leaders and members of Oyo APC on the occasion of the festival.
