By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo State deputy governor, Bayo Lawal on Sunday led government functionaries to represent the state government at the Eid-el-Fitri Prayer Ground, Agodi Ibadan.
He was accompanied by the Deputy National Chairman (South) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs Faosat Sanni, among others.
The convoy arrived the prayer ground at about 9:45AM.
A former governor of the state and the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, accompanied by Senator Sharafadeen Alli and others were also at the ground.
Ladoja who represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin at the prayers was returning to the prayer grains after several years of staying away.
The former governor and his entourage arrived the prayer ground at about 9:50AM
The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Agbotomokekere who led the prayer arrived at about 9:55AM
He was received by the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Dahud Makanjuola and other top Islamic leaders and scholars at the the prayer ground.
Speaking shortly after the prayers, the Deputy Governor said the people must live by the lessons learnt during the holy months and continue to be peaceful in the conduct.
He said, “We thank God almighty that we started Ramadan fasting for 29days and today we’ve seen the end of it and we have come to supplicate to Almighty Allah to partake in the fasting this year 1446.
“The lesson we have learned during the month of Ramadan are many. First and foremost, Ramadan signify that the month the holy Quran was revealed and descended to mankind to guide us in our day to day conduct and activities.
“And as Muslims all over the world, we abide by the doctrines and the specifications of the holy Quran such lessons that we have found to exhibit during the month of Ramadan: patience, compassion, love for makinde and so many others and today we believe that such lessons that we imbibe will continue to guide us in our journey of life.
“Today is a day for us to thank the God almighty that made us see the end of Ramadan.
“In oyo state, we want to tell our people that the lessons we are enjoined to imbibe should guide our ways in Oyo state. We must be tolerant, patient, love ourselves and have compassion especially to the less privileged.
“Ramadan thought us to that we must consider very seriously the plight of the downtrodden so that the denials that we have gone through like experiencing the pangs of hunger that for instance less privileged people in the society are experiencing.
“So the rich people amongst us are thought to be disciplined to go through all of these denials and we believed that sincerely in oyo state we together will guide our ways.”
