By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo
With the commencement holy month of Ramadan Thursday, the Governor of Osun state, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed the optimism that the current economic hardship facing Nigeria will be a thing of the past with prayers of Nigerians and the commitment of the leaders towards good governance.

In his reflection, Aregbesola said he sees the present challenges as part of the test a people go through in their journey to greatness, which he however said demands persevareance just as he saluted the resilience of Nigerians.

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the Governor said Ramadan is a month in which Muslims redouble their spiritual efforts for the attainment of piety.

Aregbesola tasked the Muslim ummah to use the holy month to pray fervently for peace, security and economic recovery in the nation in general and the State of Osun in particular.

He reiterated that Islam is a religion that promotes peace and its adherents have no choice but to be peaceful and peace-loving in their conducts.

The statement read in part: “This is a month designed by Allah to open the door of mercy, favour and forgiveness to His creatures.

“We should seize this opportunity to pray for the country and our state to overcome all the socio-economic and and political problems facing it.

“Our dear state is also going through a harrowing economic situation. But I wish to assure our workers that this economic hardship is nearing its end and our fortune will return.

“We solicit for our workers to exercise little patience as we find lasting solution to the problem of unpaid salaries.

“As Muslims, we must extend hands of fellowship to fellow Muslims and non-Muslims alike; use the month to share, care and show love to others.

“Above all, we must strive to be agents and promoters of peaceful and harmonious co-existence in our communities as well as resolve not to revisit whatever anti-social vices that Ramadan has prevented us from engaging in.”

Similarly,the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam has joined and identified with Muslim faithful around the world in general and State of Osun in particularly to express gratitude to Allah for sparing our lives to witness another holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, Speaker Salaam admonished the Muslim faithful and Islamic scholars in the state to seize the advantage of this month to intercede for the nation before the Almighty Allah and pray for its health and prosperity, for we have no other nation to call our own.

“We have reached a point in our nation where only prayer and concerted effort are required to lift, for our challenges are multi-dimensional ranging from corruption, economic meltdown and man inhumanity to man”, said Salaam.

Salaam then urged Islamic leaders and preachers to prioritize peaceful coexistence, love and good citizenship coupled with the fear of God in their preachings, saying that would make humanity to come out better after the holy month of Ramadan.