Nigerians Prioritize Religion Over Godliness – Ishaq Oloyede

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, critiqued the Nigerian populace for their pronounced religious inclinations which, in his view, seldom align with genuine godliness. He noted, “We are too religious and we are not that godly. We are in love with prayer but we don’t know the difference between prayer and hard work.”

During a lecture titled “Duties of Muslim Citizens in National Development,” which was delivered on his behalf by Prof. Rafiu Adebayo in Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State, Ishaq Oloyede called for a paradigm shift. He emphasized, “Too many prayers without work is part of our problems in Nigeria. Let us make the best use of our endowments.”

Highlighting the country’s underutilized agricultural potential, he pointed out, “Nigeria was endowed with vast arable land, water, and weather suitable for different crops across different regions.” Ishaq Oloyede lamented the country’s over-reliance on oil revenue, stating, “Nigeria abandoned our endowments and relied on oil as a source of income after the discovery of oil.”

However, Oloyede acknowledged the potential positive impact of religion on national socio-economic development, remarking, “Religion would have solved our problems properly but we did not utilise it very well.” He argued for unity and the abandonment of ethnic bitterness as essential for the country’s progress.

The lecture was part of the First Aare Sulaiman Afolabi Ogunlayi Ramadan Lecture, initiated by House of Representatives member, Akin Rotimi, to honor Ogunlayi for his contributions to religion and politics. Reflecting on the significance of recognizing contributions while individuals are still alive, Rotimi highlighted the importance of celebrating patriotic citizens. In response, Ogunlayi expressed gratitude, stating, “In most cases, people are recognised only when they are no more, but we thank God that this recognition is coming when I’m still alive.”

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