God Fatherism on a Positive Note in Lagos, Says Obasa
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
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Obasa
peaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa on Thursday said the issue of godfatherism is on a positive note in the State, saying it has been responsible for consistency in development across the State.
Obasa made the submission while reacting to a lecture delivered at the Assembly premises during the 13th edition of annual hijrah (1443 A.H.) lecture.
Speaking on a topic, ‘The Role of the Youths in the Emerging Socio-economic and Political Realities,’ one of the guest speakers, Chief Imam and Missioner Ansar ud Deen Society of Nigeria, Northern States Council, Sheikh Muhyideen Bello, observed that one of the challenges faced by the youths is sit-tight-syndrome of the political class.
The popular Cleric pointed out, “Those of you at the helms of affairs should behave well because the youths are watching and they will want to emulate you. Greed and aggrandizement have become the norm,” saying efforts should be geared towards addressing the menace.
He explained that holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) had tutored the leaders on how to share resources available in every society, adding that the youths should be engaged and given their rightful position.
He maintained that “those of you who have been in the political hierachy for a good number of years should leave the stage for the teeming youths who are languishing in poverty.”
While delivering the second lecture, an Imam from Lagos State Secretariat Central Mosque, Dr Sa’eid Ahmad, said there is complete breakdown of parentig in the country, noting “everything previously believed to be bad is now considered good.”
Ahmad who is a Consultant General Surgeon added that, “What is prevalent in the society now is ideological rebellion,” because of level of decadence in the country.
He however warned the youths, saying “Regardless of bad politics and Governance in the country, how ready and committed are the youths to right the wrong.”
In his reaction, Obasa stated that the State House of Assembly had put laws in place aimed at addressing the challneges faced by the youths.
He enumerated that Employment Trust Fund for youths who would want to be self-employed; State Safety Corps, LASTMA; Child Rights Act among others.
He charged the youths to make use of any of the channels to advance their dreams, saying “We are representig the people and we are doing everything so that it will change the perceptions of the youths.”
The Speaker who is serving his fifth term in the House explained that, “It is not a joke for somebody to have represented his community for years, he must have something he is doing for the people.
“Representation is for the people and it’s a process and once your constituents keep faith in you, you have to represent them,” Obasa stated.
On godfatherism, the Speaker argued, Let’s compare Lagos to other States. Something has been happening in Lagos and has been advantageous to us and that is consistency. Look at other States, they have not been able to get it right. We should look at the advantages, that is why in Lagos we will continue to listen to good advice.”
The Chairman of the occasion, Hon Moshood Oshun explained that the rationale behind the topic of this year’s hijrah was as a result of the population of the youths in the country, saying Goverment needs to carry them along.
Oshun who is representing Lagos Mainland constituency II, said with the level of agitations emanating from the youths, “We have no choice than to bring them into governace.”
He however stated that the House of Assembly has always been youth oriented, which according to him had been enumerated by the Speaker.