The awards of excellence recently won by the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, reminds me of the former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili. Those were the days when Nigeria, though with minor differences, were united in true brotherhood, patriotism and love. Odili made prints in the sands and Ambode, as a Christian, is taking that footstep of caring for Muslims as he cares for his brethren Christians.
Yes, Lagos under Governor Ambode made Nigeria proud by bagging the prestigious award for the best performing state in the 2016 Hajj operations in Nigeria, beating all other 37 Hajj Boards/Agencies/Commissions that organise the annual Hajj under the supervision of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The award was one out of the seven which the state gathered for its excellent performance throughout the 2016 Hajj exercise. Other awards won by the state included: Best state in coordination of pilgrims’ airlift; best state in e-Track management; second best state in pilgrims’ education and enlightenment programme; second best state in Taradudiyyah exercise; third best state in provision of pilgrims’ accommodation and third best state in coordination of pilgrims’ feeding.
As for Dr. Odili who was the governor from 1999 to 2007, Muslims and Christians were brethren. He was known to have been a truly detribalised leader. He proved to be a liberal-minded governor who encouraged all Nigerians to pursue their religious and vocational endeavours without discrimination.
He is known to have supported uncountable numbers of Islamic activities and donated generously towards many Islamic causes such as the renovation of the National Mosque. History has on record that Odili’s administration sponsored the highest number of Muslim pilgrims to Hajj on yearly basis throughout his tenure. The total numbers of Muslim pilgrims from Rivers state used to be more than all the Southeast and South-south put together. Odili built mosques and other structures for the pilgrims at the Port Harcourt Hajj camp and within the city of Port Harcourt. Because of all these, all the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards of the region in 2005 conferred on him the award of Most Muslim-Friendly Christian Governor in Nigeria, a record no Nigerian has broken till date. The entire Muslim community of Rivers State was Odili’s constituency which was quite unprecedented.
- By Muhammad Ajah
Abuja.