By Chuks Eke
In the spirit of peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic and religious groups, the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra state, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene has promised the Muslim community in the constituency that he would support them to build a new central mosque in the area.
Hon. Ogene who is leader of the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives and chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy made the promise when he joined the Muslim community to break Ramadan fast on Friday.
Responding to the requests of the Chief Imam Abdul Majeed Oniyan for the improvement of welfare of the Muslim faithful in Ogbaru, Ogene assured them that he would take care of them in his democracy dividends package distribution in the same manner he is doing to other people in the constituency.
“Many of you have been living here in Ogbaru for so many years; you gave birth to your children here; you do your businesses here. And the constitution of our country allows any Nigerian to live in any part of the country as a citizen of that area.
“I’m not for one religion. You requested for a central Mosque. Next year if God keeps us alive, I will help you so that you have a Mosque”, Ogene pledged further.
Ogene tasked the Muslim to use the period of the Ramadan Fasting to pray for peace and prosperity of Nigeria.
Earlier in his speech, Chief Imam Oniyan eulogised Ogene for coming to join them in breaking Ramadan Fast, saying that he is the first legislator in the federal constituency to identify with them during the period of their Ramadan Fasting.
He assured Ogene that the gesture has marked the beginning of a strong covenant between him and the Muslim faithful in the area, promising that they would not only pray for him always in the Mosque but would always support him throughout his political career.
“You can be the president of Nigeria. We are praying for you so that the sky shall never be your limit. When you people were campaigning for election, we prayed Allah for His choice to win. And you won. Your coming here today shows that Allah chose you, and you have come to thank Him.
“Today is the 21st day in our sacred month of Ramadan. We are using Koran verse 3, 1446 to pray for you. We are going to support you in all your political career. When we make a promise in the Mosque we don’t renege on it”, the Islamic cleric assured Ogene further.
Ogene had during the visit donated various food items and cash to the Muslim faithful.
