The Companion, a Muslim association on Sunday, 8th March, in Lagos held a prayer session for the new Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrulllah Kunle Hassan and the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Governor, Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salisu.
- R-L: Alhaji Hassan; Alhaji Thabit Adewale Sonaike, National Amir (President ) of The Companion; Alhaji Salisu and the National Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Imam Abdulrahman Ahmad*
Both Alhaji Hassan and Alhaji Salisu are members of the association.
The prayer session held at the Lagos State House of Assembly Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos was attended by many dignitaries, including the immediate past deputy Governor of Lagos, Alhaja Idiat Adebule, Muslim clerics and representatives from the state chapters of The Companion across the country.
The Companion National Amir told duo that “As political office holders, you should expect both praises and criticisms, but I urge you to take both in their strides, learn the lessons they offer but remain focused on your mandate and the desire to accomplish the goals of your principals and more importantly the overall goal of public good. As your colleagues, we will also monitor you and give you support towards your success in office.
“You should always remember that your appointment is for a short period and a rare opportunity to write your name in gold, to make meaningful impact, create legacies and contribute your own quota to the development of your fatherland. Above all, ensure that you are constantly guided by the fact that you will ultimately give account of your stewardship to Allah.”
- R-L: Alhaja Rasheedat Salisu ( wife of Ogun Chief of State), Alhaja Fatimah Oyefeso ( National Amirah of The Criterion, female wing of The Companion) and Alhaja Mutiat Kunle Hassan( wife of the NAHCON Chairman/CEO)*
- See full text of The Companion National Amir below:
BEING SPEECH DELIVERED BY ALHAJI THABIT WALE SONAIKE, THE NATIONAL AMIR OF THE COMPANION AT THE SPECIAL DUA SESSION TO HONOUR AND SEEK DIVINE GUIDANCE FOR ALHAJI ZIKRULLAH OLAKUNLE HASSAN AND ALHAJI SHUAIB AFOLABI SALISU IN THEIR POLITICAL /PUBLIC SERVICE APPOINTMENTS
Auzu billahi mina shaetani rajim bismillah rahamani raheem
I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the accursed and begin in the name of Allah the beneficent the merciful. All praises belong to Allah the creator and sustainer of the world. I testify that Allah is one and bear witness that Holy prophet Mohammed (SAW) is His messenger. I seek the blessing of Allah upon the soul of the noble prophet, his household, his companions and every Muslim who strive on his path till the Last Day.
I am delighted to welcome you all to this special dua organized to honour and seek the guidance of Allah for two of our distinguished members who were recently called for greater public service. By this I am referring to Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (SAS) who was appointed Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ogun State and Alhaji Zikrullah Olakunle Hassan who was appointed as Chairman / CEO, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
First, and on behalf of all members of The Companion, I wish to congratulate them on these appointments and call to serve humanity. This is a welcome development and a pride to Islam and our organization as an association of Muslim men in business and the professions. I must emphasize that this is not the first of such call to public service within The Companion and it is also not the first of such gathering.
Our tradition in The Companion has always been not only to congratulate any of our members on such political appointments, promotions and accomplishments but to also get together to seek divine guidance for them at the commencement of their job. We strongly believe that this is one of the greatest support and show of solidarity we can give to help them succeed in their delicate tasks.
We are convinced that whoever sincerely seek the guidance of Allah in the conduct of his private and public affairs will NEVER go wrong. And it is on this note that we are gathered today to pray Allah to guide them aright in their respective public assignments.
Given the pedigree of our members and our commitment to all round human advancement in general, we have no doubt whatsoever in the ability and competence of the appointees to excel and deliver on their respective mandates. This not withstanding however, we still find it necessary to remind and challenge them in their new status not only to uphold their dignity as Muslims but also to dutifully abide by the ethics of their individual profession as well as the moral code of conduct in the public service.
You are our ambassadors and you have a responsibility to provide leadership and mentoring for other Muslims (both male and female) who aspire to serve in the political terrain and in the management of public affairs in Nigeria and beyond.
I strongly advise that your conduct in public office must reflect highest level of moral and ethical values for which Muslims in general and members of The Companion in particular are known.
You must remain a reference point for excellence, leadership and good governance. I challenge you to follow the footsteps of the pious predecessors and to surpass the records of contemporary Muslims in public service in Nigeria and beyond. You should be inspired by the legacies and very good examples and standards which the likes of Professor Ishaq Oloyede – the Registrar of JAMB are setting in public service and governance in Nigeria. You should be guided by the adage that says “Good name is better than riches”.
As political office holders, you should expect both praises and criticisms, but I urge you to take both in their strides, learn the lessons they offer but remain focused on your mandate and the desire to accomplish the goals of your principals and more importantly the overall goal of public good. As your colleagues, we will also monitor you and give you support towards your success in office.
You should always remember that your appointment is for a short period and a rare opportunity to write your name in gold, to make meaningful impact, create legacies and contribute your own quota to the development of your fatherland. Above all, ensure that you are constantly guided by the fact that you will ultimately give account of your stewardship to Allah.
At this juncture, permit me to use this opportunity to thank our guests and dignitaries for coming at short notice. We are also particularly grateful to Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ahmad for graciously accepting to give a talk at this dua session. We pray Allah to accept our dua and give us cause to always glorify His name. Amen.
On behalf of all members of The Companion, I once again welcome you all.
As-Salam alaykum waramotullahi wabarakatuh.
