-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) -By Albert OGRAKA:

Managing Director of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Bashorun Askia Ogieh has urged all Muslim faithful to show more love and compassion in this holy month of Ramadan just as he prayed for God’s mercy to heal the distress and untold pains currently being experienced worldwide caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Bashorun Askia in a Ramadan message Friday in Warri to mark the beginning of the holy month said, “There is no better time than now to show compassion and love towards others, faced with the current Coronavirus pandemic which has rendered many to be helpless and in dire need. Abstinence from worldly pleasures without giving needed assistance to our suffering people, especially the less privilege will be contrary and at variance to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.”

Bashorun Askia who said he always breaks the fasting with the Muslims faithful in Isokoland bemoaned the situation where he will be unable to do so this time because of the lockdown and social distancing directive to curb the spread of the disease.

“For the first time in my life, just like us Christians who observed the Easter in our homes, our Muslim brothers and sisters are about to do the same in this holy month. But it is a silent war we have to wage and win by strictly maintaining all hygienic procedures and obeying the social distancing directives put in place by the government to control the spread of COVID-19.

“Let us enter into this blessed month of Ramadan in hope and assurance that God in His merciful ways will heal the land as He has always done in times of crisis like the one we face now.

“I pray that as the Fourth Pillar of Islam commences, may God give all the faithful the strength to fulfill the needs of this month and to hear and reward all supplications to Him in faith. Amen.”