Islamic scholars have charged the President Bola Tinubu-led government on the need to employ Islamic solutions by bridging the social gaps between the rich and the poor through massive food production.

They made the calls at the Anwar- ul Islam College Agege Old Students’ Association (ACAOSA) 11th Annual Ramadan Lecture on Saturday in Lagos, titled “Islamic Panacea to Contemporary Economic and Social Challenges in Nigeria”.

Delivering the lecture, renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Taofeek Akeugbagold urged President Bola Tinubu to intensify efforts towards increasing food production and bridging the gap between the rich and the poor as panacea to current socio-economic challenges.

Akeugbagold, the Wazeer Muslimeen of Oyo State, stressed that Islam had a time-tested and trusted principles to bring the country out of its numerous challenges, if duly adopted.

“The Islamic solution is for the government to eradicate or reduce this level of capitalism that is going on in the country. We need to level it up the gap between the rich and the poor.

“The poverty level is too high and we are appealing to the President Bola Tinubu, we know he is trying his possible best.

“He (Tinubu) met the country in a dilapidated state. He has tried a lot just to put the country back on the track.

“We are still appealing to him that he should please increase his efforts on food production so that the masses will at last pray for him and for his government,” Akeugbagold said.

Linking the prevailing social decadence to parental failure, the cleric said that Islam had a panacea not only to political and economic but also social problem in Nigeria.

The scholar, who noted that Islam was founded on the principle of love, trust, justice, equity, sharing, respect to one other, caring for the poor and participatory governance, said absence of these had constituted a barrier to Nigeria’s growth.

He said that Islam through the principle of Zakat provided a solution to the problem of poverty and inequality in the society.
Akeugbagold said that division and hatred among Nigerian people, capitalism among other factors had not allow Islamic solutions to work for the nation.

Speaking, Dr Abdulfatai Afolabi, the President-General, ACAOSA Global, said the topic had been “meticulously chosen to address the pressing realities of our nation.

“In a world fraught with economic hardship, social unrest, and moral decay, Islam offers a divine solution rooted in justice, equity, and ethical governance.”

Commending the sacrifices and contributions of founding fathers, Afolabi described the gathering as a sacred assembly of intellectuals, believers, and torchbearers of Islam, all united in the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom and the promotion of the faith.

The National President of Anwar- ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji Mubashir Ojelade, in his goodwill remark, applauded the old students for their contributions to the growth and development of the school.

One of the Fathers of the Day, Justice Ibrahim Olorunnimbe, who commended the Organising Committee said that Islam provided divine remedies for the nation challenges.

“Nigeria is now passing through to a fundamental period. We want to say that all of us must be ready to work hard, to pray, and do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of our fellow men. That is the duty of all of us,” Olorunnimbe said.

Chief Kessington Adebutu, also the Father of the Day, who was represented by Aare Kola Oyefeso, said that Ramadan was not only about abstinence from food but about love and helping others.

Adebutu, who supported ACAOSA with N10 million commended the association for its countless impacts.

The Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Tijani Folawiyo, who was represented of by Imam Abdul-Hakeem Kosoko, commended various interventions by the association and pledged N5million support for the growth and development of the ACAOSA.

Delivering another lecture on Ramadan and Health, Alhaja Moriam Ottun, Director of Dietetics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, urged Muslims to take care of what they consume for their health and well-being during and after the Ramadan.

Hundreds of alumni of ACAOSA (formerly Ahmadiyya College, Agege) including former Minister of State for Defense, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) and former Lagos State APC Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, attended the lecture.