“Both the kings whose reign was peaceful and the one whose reign was violent deserve accolades.”
Since the beginning of the Ramadan fast, the former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has started the distribution of several food items to the different people in his home state, Kwara. This is in line with the principles and practices of the holy Prophet Muhammad to feed the fasting Muslims during Ramadan.
The Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate, Dr Saraki, as a private citizen also hosted different classes of people to Iftar in his Ilorin residence, a tradition that is sustained till the end of the month of Ramadan even after he has left the state for other engagements outside Kwara.
The Saraki food palliative for the people has in no small measure eased the economic challenges facing the people. This is in line with a popular Yoruba adage, “Tí óúnjè bà kú ró nínu isè, ò dájú ísé ti bú sè ní yè”.
The gesture has equally reduced hardship in their homes and community occasioned by the economic summersault of the Nigerian government.
Saraki’s philanthropic gesture, which is a usual family tradition, was a significant way to remind the rich and well-to-do individuals to share kindness and reach out from their wealth to the needy, less privileged and low-income earners in society.
However, to encourage the people to read the holy Qur’an and for spiritual cleansing, Dr Saraki did not just host Iftar but also organized a daily tafsir in his Ilorin residence. The tafsir featured different prominent Islamic scholars from across the state.
The tafsir was aimed at feeding the souls of the people with the words of the Almighty Allah, guidance against wrongdoings, evil acts, and issues capable of division among the people.
It’s my prayer to Almighty Allah to increase His blessings on Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, accept every of his actions as Ibadah and reward his gestures abundantly.
*Writing by Yahaya Mariam Sidiq (SDQ)*
