A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar has called on leaders at all levels to prioritise the wellbeing of Nigerians.
Abubakar made the call in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Sunday in Abuja.
He also admonished leaders to lead in the fear of God.
“While the Ramadan season encouraged charity to the less privileged, it becomes imperative for leaders to make sure that after Ramadan, governments initiate interventions that will ensure that the wellbeing and welfare of the people are sustained.
“It is important to call the attention of those in positions of authority to the practices of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that teach about obligations of leadership to the people.
“It is not enough that the government will ask that the people should brace themselves for harsh economic conditions.
“It is more sufficient for the leadership to show compassion to the masses and act with fear of God,” Abubakar said.
Atiku congratulated the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting.
Atiku described the completion of Ramadan fasting as a blessing from the Almighty.
He reminded Muslims that the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr “should be an opportunity to remind ourselves to continue to intensify the good deeds that were embraced during Ramadan.
He also urged the people to continue to pray for progress in their private lives and that of Nigeria.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
