By Abdulquadri Olanrewaju
The Amir (National Head) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, has described the current and common palliative measures by the Nigerian government as temporary and unsustainable, urging leaders to prioritize long-term solutions to the nation’s problems.
Addressing journalists during the press conference for the Platinum Jubilee of the Jalsa Salana (Ahmadiyya Annual Conference) held on 4th December 2024 at the Ahmadiyya National Headquarters in Lagos, the Amir highlighted corruption, bad leadership, and ignorance as the root causes of Nigeria’s challenges. He emphasized the need for societal reformation through godliness, integrity, and humane governance.
“The solution to Nigeria’s challenges lies in self-reformation and adherence to Allah’s commands. Palliatives are a stopgap and will not address the underlying issues of corruption and mismanagement,” the Amir said.
He advised leaders to adopt humility and respect for humanity in their dealings, citing the importance of empathy in governance. “Leaders should place themselves in the shoes of their people. They must avoid practices that oppress and inconvenience the masses” he noted.
The revered religious leader also urged Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable while praying for their guidance. Quoting the global leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his helper), he remarked, “Preach to your leaders and tell them the right thing to do. Pray for them because a cursed leader’s actions will ultimately harm the masses.”
On the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, the Amir highlighted initiatives such as interfaith peace conferences aimed at fostering religious harmony and supporting national progress. He called on traders to desist from price gouging and hoarding, noting that such actions undermine societal well-being.
He concluded by reiterating that only Allah has the ultimate solution to Nigeria’s problems, urging Nigerians to seek divine guidance and adhere to moral and ethical standards in their daily lives.
