The convener of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), says government at all levels must be deliberate about pulling people out of poverty and ensuring fair wealth distribution.

Mr Adediran spoke at the Lagos4Lagos Movement’s eighth annual Ramadan public lecture titled “Economic Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation: The Islamic Perspective.”

The lecture, held on the premises of LTV 8, Ikeja, attracted hundreds of Islamic faithful, clerics, and traditional rulers from across the state.

Mr Adediran said the core purpose of leadership was to empower citizens, lift the poor, and bridge the gap between the rich and the less privileged.

“We have to be intentional to pull the person out of poverty. One thing that I have learned, I believe, is that, as a government, one can do a lot by emulating the teachings of Zakat.

“The purpose for which a government is in place is to see to the well-being of the people. Nothing to add. Everything that will bring about the people’s welfare is what it is all about.

“Leadership is all about looking at how to alleviate the suffering of the people in all sectors of our economy, in infrastructure, in education, health-wise, and others.

“Leadership is also ensuring the well-being of the people. That’s the purpose upon which a government is in place,” said Mr Adediran, the PDP candidate in the 2023 Lagos governorship election.

According to him, Nigerians are fortunate to have President Bola Tinubu as their leader at this time.

“Nigeria already has the kind of leadership that befits what we are facing today. The one that is bold. The one who is courageous.

“The one who has been able to take the bull by the horns. We have a kind of leadership spreading the wealth accordingly. The one that has increased the revenue of all the states as a result of his policy, his courageous policy,” he said.

Mr Adediran described Mr Tinubu as a statesman who chose reforms in the nation’s interest, rather than personal political considerations.

“We must salute him (Tinubu); that’s the kind of leader we want and need in this country today,” he said.

Mr Adediran said the outcome of the 2023 governorship election never affected his faith or commitment to serving the people.

Delivering the lecture, Fadeelat Shaykh, Abdulhakeem Muh’d Awwal (Al-Jejewiy), said, “A good government should be concerned about the welfare of the people; they should not get to office and forget about the people.”

“The government must have approved the Zakat Committee, and we should appoint technocrats to the committee,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event included the grand chief imam of Ikeja Central Mosque, Qamorudeen Adeola; the representative of the chief imam of Badagry, Quadri Otuyo; and the Osolu of Irewe, Abideen Durosinmi, and many others.

(NAN)