By Haroon Balogun

The need for a change in our society, cannot be overemphasized. That is why the feeling and expectations of Nigerians are high today as President Muhammad Buhari takes over the baton of leadership. Nigeria, as we all know is currently mired in great challenges. The challenge of indiscipline, the challenge of corruption, terrorism, kidnapping and other form of insecurity; of favoritism, of ostentatiousness, of get-rich-quick of various kinds of impunity to mention a few.

From left: Mr Ismail, Security Secretary; Alh Adenekan, Project Secretary; Ustaz Musbadeen Olawale, Branch Missioner; Alh Ishaq Lawal, Vice Chairman and Alhaji AbdulRasheed Alabi, Chairman, all newly sworn-in members of Igbogbo Branch Executive Council of NASFAT held in Igbogbo recently.

We cannot ignore the turmoil that surrounds us, the economic instability, the unending fuel and power crisis, while many hustle and struggle to get just only a meal per day in a country of super abundance. We know the leader gives direction and percolates on what the citizery should do. That is why President Muhammad Buhari needs to be focus and deliver on his promise of change in all aspect of our lives that are stinking.

Whatever the reasons that led to this stage, it’s clear that a change is essential to get out from this chaos. Again, the process of change starts with us. There should be a personal change that will improve our society. We need to inculcate Islamic values and other better related secular values in our lives.

Some of the elements and metaphor for indiscipline is the syndrome of get-rich-quick where everybody will immediately throw decorum and decency to the wind in order to get rich quick. Our religious leaders cannot be absolve of blame because they propagated the gospel of prosperity instead of decency, discipline and decorum.

Now, rather than the liberalization and proliferation the gospel of prosperity especially in the christendom, we need to change our ways, instil and preach discipline, sermonise on contentment and spiritual fulfillment, redirect the psychic of our people on the part of good behaviour. The ability to come out of this state – to change – also gives us hope for a better future lies with us. We also need to engage in the process of change with perseverance and equanimity as lasting change however, isn’t that easy

In the Quran Allah mentions numerous nations who were given time to heed to His message and change. The ones who didn’t were suddenly taken by surprise at their appointed time. In the Chapter of Al-Anaam (verse 44), Allah says, “So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened for them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them (in punishment), and lo!

They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.” while they will bear their burdens on their backs; and evil indeed are the burdens that they will bear! “ The message above couldn’t be clearer. Allah gives us the time to reform ourselves. When we postpone indefinitely, we shouldn’t be surprised if our conditions worsen. Allah says in the Quran, “Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad).

And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves (believe with humility).” (Chapter 6, Verse 42) We should, therefore, urgently start facing up to our spiritual and worldly imperfections which may be manifesting as sins. Accordingly, we need to make the connection between those imperfections and our undesirable conditions. Remember, the price of putting off change can come in the form of tough times and future regrets.

Let no one be left behind, the desire for change alone can’t manifest the complexities to bring out that change, the will-power, the resolve for change irrespective of the consequences and the real effort needed to bring it to fruition, calmness, perseverance and determination are needed now to transform into change.

It will be tough, like in the change process in other climes, but we have to show commitment and understanding for absolute change. We can’t afford to go back to our old ways of doing things. The prophet experienced a lot pains during the early days of propagating Islam. When the prophet’s uncle warned him of the risks of effecting a change in the lives and culture of the people, stating that the Mekkans were difficult and would be ready to kill him for daring to change their culture and way of worship.

But he clearly stated, “O my uncle, by Allah, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left in return for my giving up this cause, I would not give it up until Allah makes Truth victorious, or I die in His service.” It was that kind of a commitment that kept him going for the rest of his life and to bring about the change that he did.

As we begin the process of change for a better society today, the desire must continue to burn just as the determination for a better society remain resolute. Prayer: “O Allah, we are your slaves, the children of your slave, Adam. Our forelock is in Your Hand. Your decision on us inescapable. We are invoking You by all the names that You name Yourself, that You have taught to anyone in Your creation, that You have mentioned in Your Book, or that You have kept unknown.

Let there be peace and development in this country. Let the cankerworm called corruption be destroyed and by the power of the Qur’an, let there be social and economic prosperity in our land. O Allah, we hope for Your mercy, do not leave us for even the duration of an eye blink (duration) and correct our total condition. Besides You there is none worthy of worship.

None has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You. Glory be unto your name, the Lord of the world. May the peace and blessings of the Creator continue to be with Prophet Muhammad. Pebore, award winning Hajj pilgrim ‘Honest man’ dies

The Saudi Arabia award winning ‘Honest man’ in 2003 Hajj Pilgrim, Alhaji Abdul Yaqeen Badmus a.k.a Pebore is dead. He died in a ghastly motor accident along Ila-Orangun road recently.   We gathered that Alhaji Badmus who was described as a pure and great Islamic jihadist and gave the title ‘PEBORE’ (total destruction of idol worshipping) was travelling to his home town, Ila-Orangun on Friday, 8th May, 2015 when the commercial bus conveying him and other passengers somersaulted and killed all the passengers on the spot.

Some members of his family who were searching for him later got his corpse at Ile-Ife General Hospital the following Monday and later got his remains. His remains have since been buried at his home town.  It was gathered that late Badmus was a leading aspirant among those who are contesting to be the council chairman of his community in Osun State.

It would be recalled that Pebore was among the pilgrims from Lagos State who performed 2003 Hajj exercise and was learnt to have stumbled on a huge sum of United States of America Dollars, belonging to about 1,000 pilgrims from Asia country and handed over the money to the Saudi Arabia security who also handed it to the owners.   The decision to hand over such big sum of money made the Saudi Arabia government gave the Award of the most ‘Honest man’ in 2003 Hajj and was rewarded with free entrance to the country at anytime.

He was also given opportunity to bring three people for free education at the Saudi Arabia University.   During a fidau prayer shortly after he was buried at Smith Street, Lagos Island, Sheikh Soliu Oyekan called on Nigerians in general and Muslims in particular to emulate the deceased way of life by being good to everyone and to be contended with whatever they have.

Among the Ulamas that attended his fidau prayer were, Alhaji Idris Abikan, Chairman of Al-Adabiyya Society in Lagos, Alhaji Baba Balapa, Acting Chief Imam, Anzarul-Islam Central Mosque, Odufege Lagos and Alhaji Khadri-Yahaya Abdul Gaffari, Chief Missioner, Siddiq-deen Society of Nigeria.