•Opens 10-day holiday camp for Muslims

By Haroon Ishola Balogun

The Companion, a foremost faith based non-Governmental Organisation comprising of Muslim professionals and those in business has urged African leaders, President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria to show more concern for the living standard of their citizens and development of their economies in order to halt the trend of slavery of their nationals abroad.

The group also unveiled a ten-day holiday camp for Muslim youth and members of the public beginning from Saturday, December 23, 2017 to Monday, January 1, 2018 at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp (NYSC Camp), Iseyin, Oyo State.

According to the National Amir of the group, Alhaji Thabit Wale Sonaike, registration fee is N5,000.00 covering feeding, accommodation, medical care, excursion among others. He stated that activities in the camp included inspiring lectures, community service, career talk and guidance, mentorship, aerobic and sporting activities, quiz competition, skill acquisition in various vocations and lots more.

“In line with our focus on Dawah and Education, an annual Youth Leadership Development programme tagged Dawn Holiday Programme (DHP) is organized every year by The Companion.

“The DHP is a ten day camping programme designed by The Companion as a platform for youth development and training in leadership, vocational and entrepreneurial skills as well as Islamic ethics and community service, adding that about 1,000 participants (aged between 10 and 30 years) are expected to attend. “It promises to be very interesting and stimulating,” he said.

Reacting to the recent deportation of Nigerians from Libya, Sonaike said: “The recent report of slavery in Libya where Nigerians and other nationals are victims is most unfortunate. It is a clarion call to African leaders especially the sub-saharan African leaders to show more concern for the up-liftment of their citizens and the development of their economies. It is very sad to note that able bodied and young Nigerians who should stay back to contribute to the economic development of the country are being forced to flee in search of greener pastures.  Government at all levels should pay more attention to infrastructural development which have multiplier effects on the economy. Un-interrupted power supply, motorable roads, public health care high quality education, safe air ports and seaports, favourable economic policies that will promote private investments are issues that should engage the leaders attention more than ever before.

The group also urged government to increase patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods in order to encourage the consumption of locally made products. He added that this should reflect in official dress code, foods served at government functions, office equipments and decorations, official cars, oversea trips, contract awards and other allied activities of the government.

On the presentation of 2018 budget, Alhaji Sonaike said:  The Companion commended the executive arm of government for the early presentation of the national budget to the national assembly, urging the lawmakers to ensure a thorough and quick scrutiny of the budget by the end of the year.   “The national assembly should avoid going on any recess until after the conclusion of the budget debate. This has become necessary in order to walk-the-talk about change.