The don noted that despite the fact that the country is blessed with sufficient thirty two mineral resources, majority of the people are languishing in poverty.
Al-Mubaraq who is also the Chief Imam of the University, stated this while delivering a lecture titled: “Economic Recession: Islamic Solutions” at the ongoing seventh National Conference of Badrud-Dinil Islamiy Assalat Circle of Nigeria, holding at the Ojoku Town Hall, in Ojoku, Oyun Local Government Area of the state.
He also identified bribery and corruption among law enforcement agents, allowing inexperienced young people to manage governance of the country, increase in bribery and corruption among Nigerians, severing family ties, indiscriminate shielding of innocent bloods and impostors in religions as factors responsible for economic wobble in the country.
He also cautioned against extravagant lifestyle and over-reliance on imported goods, stressing the need to allow tested and trusted people to be managers of the country’s economy and governance.
The Chief Imam explained that the country had also witnessed austerity measures during Babangida regime, but later overcome the problem, pointing out that if the government can imbibe the Islamic solutions to economic crisis, the lost glory of the economy would be restored.
Al-Mubarak therefore warned against greed for acquisition of wealth and charged government to create massive employment, while people should also give alms to the needy and zakat fitri.
In her welcome address, the National Amirah of the Association, Alhaja Aishat Funsho-Raji, disclosed that the Assalat Circle started in Kaduna in 1990 and has branches in Ilorin, Ibadan, Lagos, Bida and Ojoku, pointing out that it is an affiliate member of FOMWAN.
According to her, the Assalat Circle was established to uphold the banner of Islam in its pristine nature, inculcate the teachings of Islam and hadith among its members, enhance spiritual development of its members and encourage self discipline, honesty, loyalty and God consciousness .
Hajia Funsho-Raji, noted that the theme of the conference was selected as part of the practice of the Assalat Circle to uphold the banner of Islam in proffering solutions to current societal challenges and promote Islamic culture in contributing positively to the betterment of the larger society.
She said ” presently, Nigeria is facing economic downturn, hence the choice of this year’s theme, Economic Recession:Islamic Solution because Islam is a a complete way of life ordained by Almighty Allah. Allah has richly blessed this country with natural resources both human and material resources to make her economically buoyant”.
” It was an economic giant in the past, till when the citizens disregarded fear of Allah and put on amour of ungodly attitudes. We do not want to end up that way, hence our interest in the theme of this conference is to highlight that the cure for the recession lies in Islam, our submission to the will of Allah with patience, perseverance and love for others and what we want for ourselves”, She said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and retired Permanent Secretary in Kwara State, Alhaji Lamidi Alabi, said the theme of the conference is apt and timely especially at this critical period that the country is facing different challenges, particularly the economic crisis.
In an interview with journalists in his palace after the presentation of paper on the theme of the conference, the Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba AbdulRasaq Adegboyega Afolabi, said it was unfortunate that despite the abundant human and natural resources in the country, the nation’s economy is in serious crisis.
Oba Abdulrasaq Afolabi who lamented the high rate of poverty in the country, commended the Badrud-Dinil Islamiy Assalay Circle for deliberating on the the economic recession and pledged to provide a free land for the Assalat Circle in Ojoku.
