Hard Work, Antidote To Poverty- Aregbesola

Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has stressed the need for Nigerians to be hardworking and productive so as to get out of the problem of poverty facing the people of the country.
He advocated that Nigerians ,no matter how highly placed in the society ,should turn to the job of food production which is farming, saying that a large chunk of the nation’s debt ,which should have been spent on developing infrastructures ,had been spent on frivolous things which accounts for the pathetic state which the country is today.
Ogbeni Aregbesola said this on Sunday in Osogbo at a special prayer session organised to mark the third year anniversary of the present administration in office held at the NASFAT prayer village.
He said if just 25million out of the about 160 million Nigerians can work and earn a total income of 4million naira per year, it means about 100million naira will be in circulation which will be huge for the nation’s economy noting that the money Nigeria spends on the importation of food items in a year is over 200 million dollars.
Ogbeni Aregbesola explained that countries with the best basic amenities in the world are countries that are in debt and have made use of the debt judiciously He lamented the fact that with over 60billion dollars as debt, Nigeria is still backward in terms of ensuring good life for its citizens.
While thanking God for the wisdom with which the state has been run successfully in the past three years, the Governor pointed out that despite the reduction in the Federal allocation to the state almost every month ,the internally generated revenue of the state has shot up by over 500% from the point it was before the coming of the present administration without enforcing tax on any indigene of the state.
He said the steady rise of the state through the various developmental projects going on at the same time from the provision of good roads to construction of model schools and assurance of security among others are pointers to the fact that God is with the administration and the state.
Reading from the Holy Quran chapter 3 vs 186 which talks about how a muslim should relate and behave with people of other faith, Ogbeni Aregbesola charged muslims to imbibe the spirit of patience, tolerance and love at all times, saying that Islam is not a religion of violence, war or chaos.
While decrying the ugly incident that occurred in Ejigbo, the state helms man stressed that Islam did not come to yorubas through war, violence or crisis but came through the upright and good manners of the first set of muslims who came into the region very many years ago noting that the good characters of the first set of muslims distinguished them as the pride of the society which attracted a lot of people into Islam.
Earlier in a sermon on the topic: Thanksgiving and Reflection, the Branch Missioner of the Osogbo NASFAT prayer village, Alhaji Isiak Lawal who read from the Holy Quran chapter 2vs132 and Quran chapter 2vs204-205 said anniversary period is not a period for celebration but a period for reconciliation just as Allah told the Holy Prophet Mohamed (peace be unto him) to remember the good he has done so also the Governor should remember the good things Allah has done for him and the administration.
The cleric advised the Governor to always give thanks to Almighty Allah who has made him a pace setter in the many laudable life touching programmes of the administration which have attracted accolades and awards from both within and outside the country.
While congratulating the Governor on the third anniversary of the present administration in the state, the NASFAT Missioner advised the Governor to remember that everything in life has a beginning and a end saying that God will one day ask everybody questions on accountability.
Among those who accompanied the Governor to the special prayer session were the First lady, Alhaja Serifat Aregbesola, legislator representing Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon.(Mrs) Ayo Omidiran, Assistant Chief of Staff, Bar. Gbenga Akano, Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr Ajibola Basiru, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Mr Sikiru Ayedun among others.
OSUN DEFENDER