The Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa, Oba Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe, has called on his subjects and Nigerians to live together in harmony and to also tolerate other people’s religions.
Owaloko made this known today while addressing Iloko Ijesa community in his palace after spending 9 days at “Ipebi” following his recent installation as the Sixth Ajagbusi Ekun following the demise of the fifth Ajagbusi Ekun, Oba Oladele Olashore in 2012.
Akeem appealed for intensified prayers by the Muslim Ummah and adherents of other religions in the country for God’s intervention on the dreaded disease.
He emphasised that COVID-19 is real, urging Muslims to pray and adhere strictly to the preventive measures as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr.
The monarch, while congratulating Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, emphasised the need for love for one another and support for the less privileged in the society.
He enjoined Muslims to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan and pray fervently for the nation to overcome COVID-19 and other emerging challenges
“I enjoin Nigerians to adhere strictly to all the safety measures against COVID-19 as advised by the government and health experts such as frequent washing of hands, social distancing and environmental hygiene at all times.
“If this is done by all of us, it will go a long way in curtailing the spread of the virus in our communities and the country at large,’’ Akeem said.
He advised that the occasion should be used to rebuild the fabric of national unity and to reaffirm Nigeria’s common destiny as an indivisible entity.
The monarch urged Muslim faithful to continue to pray to God to assist President Muhammadu Buhari and other elected and appointed leaders to overcome current challenges in the nation.
He charged the people of his emirate to send their children to schools to acquire both Western and Islamic knowledge, saying that through education they would be emancipated from illiteracy and ignorance.
