The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and worldwide on the successful completion of the Ramadhan fast and the celebration of 2024 Eid el Fitr.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary,
Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF called for a more effective public policy response to tackle the rapidly deteriorating living standard in Nigeria.
Muhammad-Baba stated,”The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) felicitates with the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and worldwide on the successful completion of the Ramadhan fast and the celebration of 2024 Eid el Fitr.
“ACF notes that lessons must have been learnt from the Ramadhan period and in particular from partaking in the month-long devotion to sacrifice, spiritual introspection, compassion, deep sober reflections on the meaning of life and death as well as of God’s Benevolence and Mercies, rejection of sybaritic luxuries and frivolities, fellowship with and goodwill to fellow beings, especially the needy, in our communities.
“ACF notes the many tough challenges that ordinary citizens currently face, including runaway inflation, unemployment, rapid fall in standards of living, insurgency, terrorism and banditry, etc., Most regrettably, these problems more dire, acute or even chronic in the Northern states of Nigeria.
“Sadly, public policy responses, in line with the covenant between citizens and the state, to such problems remain weak and ineffective at best.
“ACF calls for urgent attention, by government at all levels, to the demonstrable rapid decline in living conditions of citizens occasioned by recent Government policies such as removal of subsidies on the prices of petroleum products, floating of the Naira, and astronomical hike in the cost of poorly supplied electricity.
“The burdens of such policies are becoming too heavy being portent ingredients of citizens’ discontent, social chaos and unrests. Recent episodes of looting of public and private goods in several locations are pointers of what lies ahead if things are allowed to slide unchecked.”
According to Muhammad-Baba, ACF called on citizens to remain steadfast in prayers, adding that God Almighty has a purpose for and the answers to all tribulations that people face.
“Daunting as it seems, ACF steadfastly envisions a prosperous Nigeria where justice, equity and hope will prevail over despair and hopelessness.
“In the Spirit of Eid El Fitr, ACF calls on the Muslim Ummah to remain prayerful for Nigeria’s rejuvenation, such that a peaceful, secure and economically vibrant country will emerge. Citizens should also pray to God Almighty to endow Nigeria’s leaders with love, faith, strength, righteousness, fear of God and wisdom with which to govern the polity.
“Against the national current challenges, ACF
calls for roll out of rational public policies aimed at the qualitative easing of purchasing power challenges, create opportunities for economic empowerment.
“Calls on public functionaries to shun provocative profligacy and reckless ego-massaging and self-serving spending of tax-payer funds.
“Warns against very poorly organised and chaotic distribution of “palliatives”. ACF prefers simple, transparent and effective community-based distribution system with adequate security coverage.
“Warns the general public against resort to looting of public and private storage facilities; vehicles in transit ferrying good across the country. Economic challenges should present no excuse for brigandage, lawlessness, as ultimately, it is the same “ordinary citizen” that experience losses in lives, limbs and property.”
Muhammad-Baba added that the ACF solicits support and prayers for Nigeria’s security agents in their resolve to rid the country of criminality, insecurity and instability.
According to him, the ACF prays that all terrorists, bandits, insurgents and other criminals on rampage with evil tools will reflect on the futility of their fruitless intentions, repent and rejoin the culture of peace and compassion.
“The terrorists and bandits must promptly release all men, women and children citizens that they hold in captivity under miserable conditions.
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated.
By Chimezie Godfrey
