..Idris tasks elected politicians to prioritise security

The Emir of Zazzau and Chairman, Kaduna state Council of Emirs and Chiefs, Dr. Shehu Idris, on Tuesday urged elected officers to prioritise security of lives and property of Nigerians above any other issue.

He made the appeal while delivering a speech to mark the Eid-el-Fitr celebration at his palace in Zaria, Kaduna state.

The traditional ruler observed that the security of lives and property was paramount, hence the need for government at all levels to accord it the desired attention it deserves to attain peace and prosperity.

He said that “we want to appeal to all elected officers to do everything possible to fulfil their campaign promises and endeavour to carry all manner of people along toward an all-inclusive government for peace and tranquillity to prevail.

“We want them to accord special attention to security of lives and property; they should also ensure the provision of sound and quality education, ease access to healthcare and farm inputs and implements and other social amenities.”

The emir appreciated Gov. Nasiru el-Rufai for executing meaningful and developmental projects across the state in the last four years, especially in the area of peace, education, fight against drug abuse and banditry, among others.

“We want to use this medium to extend our sallah message to Gov. Nasiru el-Rufai and applaud him for his zeal and determination to restore lasting peace in the state.

“It will not be out of order to use this opportunity to congratulate you for taking the oath of office for the second term. We pray and hope Almighty Allah will guide you aright and give you wisdom to take Kaduna to greater heights.

“We pray Almighty Allah will give you the strength to build upon the successes already established and we urge our subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by providing useful information toward stemming criminality,” he added.

The monarch appealed to federal and state governments and lawmakers to be united to pursue a common goal of rebuilding the economy toward making it among the top economies globally.

He also advised government to introduce more programmes to empower people to enable them become self-reliant in both rural and urban areas.

The emir encouraged Muslims to sustain the lessons learnt during Ramadan such as humility, fear of Almighty Allah, forgiveness, obedience, care for the poor, needy and orphans, among other good virtues.

“These are good lessons worthy of retention by Muslims. As good Muslims, you are not expected to indulge in social vices after the month of Ramadan.

“We hope as Muslims you will continue to work and practice these virtues and you will continue to obey and respect Islamic rules and regulations governing your lives.

“We also want to appeal to you to support and respect those in position of authority by obeying all rules and regulations governing our existence as a nation,” he advised.

He urged Muslims to continue to pray for peace to prevail across Nigeria, noting that peace is critical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.

Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam, Sheik Abubakar Gumi, Kofar-Gayan Low-cost Eid Praying Ground, Dr. Muhammad Aliyu, described security as the highest bounty extended to human beings by Almighty Allah.

Taking his text from Qur’an and Hadith, the Chief Imam said: “There is no ni’imah (bounty or blessing) extended to human beings by their creator like the blessing of security.

“This blessing is only possible when people avoid ascribing partner(s) to Almighty Allah, Qur’an says: Those who believe and do not ascribe partner to Almighty Allah, these category of people are secured.

“The Prophet (May and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: He who sleeps in his house secured and healthy and he has what to eat for the day, is like a person that is given the entire wealth of this world.”

Aliyu recalled that it was in line with preservation of “Tauhid” (oneness of Almighty Allah) that He (Almighty Allah) protected Quraish from hunger, poverty, cold and winter season and ensure that they were secured.