Alhaji Abdul-Rafiu Lagbaji, Founder and Chairman, At-Tanzil Islamic Foundation, has called on Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State to run an inclusive government of equal opportunities for Muslims in the state.
Lagbaji, who made the call on Tuesday in Akure during a news conference to mark the 20th Anniversary of the foundation, explained that Muslims also needed to be included in key positions of the state’s governance.
According to Lagbaji, the current position of Muslims’ representation in government smacks of marginalisation.
“Among others, we cite a clear instance of the appointment of high court judges where no single Muslim is on the bench in the state.
“A Muslim came first in the examinations conducted for the last set of appointments but was schemed out for a less-qualified candidate.
“There is also the selection of current permanent secretaries where Muslims were pushed to the background among their peers.
“We clamor for balanced recognition of people of all faiths in the governance of Ondo State, where a Muslim will serve as deputy governor to a Christian governor, and vice-versa,” he said.
The founder also urged Aiyedatiwa to take urgent steps in preventing imminent flooding in the state.
Lagbaji said Nigeria was facing socio-economic pressures which demanded urgent, coordinated response from government, civil societies and faith-based institutions.
According to the chairman, the rising cost of living, caused by inflation and subsidy removal, has placed food, transport and healthcare beyond many households.
“Unemployment and underemployment, especially among youths, eroding economic stability. Insecurity in parts of the Northern and South-West regions in recent times have displaced families and disrupted livelihoods.
“There are gaps in education access, particularly for the girl-child and children in almajiri and IDP communities.
“Although the Federal Government has continued to provide commendable support and intervention for the gaps, the scale of need still calls for complementary efforts from organisations such as ours.
“Strained healthcare access also leaves many families unable to afford basic or maternal care.
“These are not abstract statistics — they are the realities of families, orphans, widows, and students who walk through our doors every day.
“It is against this backdrop that the work of faith-based organisations such as ours becomes not a matter of choice, but of necessity,” the chairman said.
Lagbaji, therefore, renewed the call to well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations, government agencies, and diaspora community to partner with the foundation, whether through Zakat, volunteering, or institutional collaboration.