Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani is the National Organising Secretary of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and Overseas. He is also a member of the constitution review committee of the society, former chairman of the Ondo State Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board and former member National Technical Committee on Hajj. In this interview with Adebayo Waheed, he speaks on various national issues. Excerpts:

The greatest challenge facing the survival of Nigeria after 50 years of independence is corruption, which if not checked will cripple the economy of the country.

“The daily revelation of fraud and misappropriation of billions of naira on the pages of newspapers is enough to scare would-be international investors coming to Nigeria.

“This trend has adversely affected our industries, banks and other sectors of the economy, thereby making unemployment among Nigerian youths to be more pronounced, while many youths have taken to cyber crimes, drug trafficking, bank robberies, kidnapping and heinous crimes.

“The country’s economy is facing serious challenge when banks in Ondo State were unable to open for one week for the fear of being attacked by armed robbers.

“I call on the Federal Government to face the security sector of the nation by providing enough funds for the sector so that the police and other security agencies can face their primary assignments of protecting lives and property.

“The ICPC, EFCC and other anti-graft agencies needed to be encouraged and given free hand to battle the menace which has given the country a very bad image.

“Our country needs to emulate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where transparency, justice and equity are its watchwords and these have earned it credibility in the comity of nations.

“The situation where big time oil workers, contractors, tradition rulers, notable politicians and the latest journalists have been kidnapped is not good enough for the growth and development of the country and her people.”

Solutions
“War against corruption must commence from schools as Islamic teachers posted to schools should embark on moral instructions and its values while teachers must live by examples.

“Corrupt and fraudulent influential Nigerians must not be recognised by religious leaders whether in mosques or churches as this contributed to factors that made many Nigerians to steal public funds.
“In case of security, local governments in the country must cooperate with various communities to organise vigilante groups like what is happening in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.

“I, however, appealed to Nigerians to be police friendly, so that efforts of the Federal Government on policing will be fruitful. For instance, vehicles, communications gadgets, befitting barracks and police stations can be donated by well-meaning Nigerians as incentives to the police.”

Ramadan
“Let Muslims in the country use the month of Ramadan for special prayers that will usher in a smooth election that will bring in capable and credible representatives.The period should  be devoted to pray for the stability of the fragile economy, while saboteurs must be exposed.I urge Nigerian Muslims to observe the fast according to the Holy Qur’an and Hadith. Poor Muslims need the assistance of well to do.”

Hajj
“Preparation for hajj in Nigeria has taken a new dimension since the establishment of National Hajj Commission (NAHCON). For instance, fares and other logistics have been announced unlike before when arrangements were made very close to hajj period and this always led to hajj failure in the past.
“Let me use this medium to advise the intending Muslims pilgrims to be prepared for the holy journey, which Allah has blessed as one of the pillars of Islam.”