L-r: The Chief Imam of Remoland, Sheikh Taofeek Junaid; Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Sa’adallah Alade Bamgbola; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode, Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo at the first Iftar, held at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta
* Poor, vulnerable, elderly to get rice free of charge
By Nudoiba Ojen
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that his administration would immediately begin the sale of rice to members of the public across the state at half price of the commodity to cushion the prevalent economic hardship among the populace.
The governor, who said that the sale of the commodity would begin with public servants across the board, added that it was his administration’s aspiration to return the purchasing power of public servants.
He spoke during the Special Iftar (Breaking of Fast) organised for the League of Imams and Alfas in the state at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, on Tuesday evening.
Abiodun said: “We have decided to commence the sale of rice. We will be selling it at the rate of 50 per cent of the actual price.
“We are going to commence with our civil servants. All our public servants across the board will buy rice at half the price.
“What we are trying to do is put them in the position they were before the inflation. The purchasing power that they seem to have lost because of inflation, we are putting them back in that position.”
“We have set up a committee. That committee has come up with the modalities on how we will sell the grain, so there won’t be issues.
“We want to sustain this. If we say we want to be giving it to people as a gift, very soon, we won’t be able to sustain it. But, if we sell at the price it was sold before it becomes expensive, it will allow us to use the money to buy more and continue to sell.
“For those we know can’t afford to buy, those we call the poor, the elderly and the vulnerable, we will be giving them the rice free of charge.”
Abiodun urged Muslim faithful to continue to live a holy life even after the fasting period, adding that they should endeavour to continue to pray not just for themselves, but for the state and the country as a whole.
The governor told the gathering that he would fulfil his promise to build a befitting secretariat for the League of Imams and Alfas, adding that the secretariat, when completed, would become the envy of other states.
Governor Abiodun noted that Nigerians would start to enjoy the dividends of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration with the gradual fall of the dollar, calling for more prayers for the president to succeed in his assignment.
He also called on the Muslim Ummar to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, show act of kindness during this period.
Earlier, the Secretary of the League of Imams and Alfas, Imam Tajudeen Adewunmi, lauded Governor Abiodun for making it a point of duty to empower eight Muslim youths monthly, adding that he is a good person who doesn’t use his office to inflict pain on the people.
Special prayers were offered for the 72nd birthday celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu billed for 29th March, as the Governor was also conferred with the title of Ambassador of Peace in Islam at the event.
