House of Rep member donates N15m to mosques, hosts Muslims for Iftar
No fewer than 15 mosques in the Warri and Effurun metropolitan communities of Delta State have benefitted from cash donations of N1 million each, presented by the lawmaker representing the Warri federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi.
Ereyitomi, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources Training Funds, told the leaders of the respective mosques that the presentations were in aid of infrastructural upgrade of the mosques amidst encomiums poured on the lawmaker by the jubilant recipients.
The federal lawmaker, while hosting Arewa Muslims and other Islamic faithful, including imams, women and youths, in his constituency, to an Iftar dinner in Warri, the commercial hub of Delta State on Saturday commended the Islamic adherents for living in harmony and concord with their hosts, urging them to sustain the peaceful tempo.
Also in attendance at the gathering were members of the political class in Warri South, Warri South West and Warri North local government areas, which made up the Warri federal constituency.
In addition, seated to join Hon. Ereyitomi to host the Muslim community were business mogul, Evangelist Tony Aderojo, alias TONCO; Special Adviser to the governor of Delta State on Community Development, Dr Tony Agbolayah; the chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Mr Weyinmi Agbateyiniro; his vice, Mr Kingsley Edafiadjebre and his Warri South West Local Government Area counterpart, Mrs Christy Omamofe.
Other dignitaries at the Iftar dinner comprised the former chairman of Warri North Council, Ambassador Adughe Okorodudu, former vice-chairman of Warri South West Council and Senior Special Assistant to the governor of Delta State on Political Affairs, Mr Bleson Omadoye, the Secretary of Warri South council, Mr Emma Nunu, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Warri South, Mr Richard Pessu, the PDP Publicity Secretary in Warri South LGA, Mr Emiko Oghomienor and PDP Woman Leader in Warri South West LGA, Ms Rose Tulu as well as Mr Great Kpenosen, the Special Assistant in charge of New Media to Hon. Ereyitomi, among other notable personalities.
Ereyitomi, in his welcome address, urged the Muslims to continue to dedicate their time to prayers for Delta State in particular and Nigeria in general, adding that the Ramadan period offers a moment for every Nigerian to reflect and pray for the country.
The lawmaker reflected on the significance of Ramadan, which coincides with the Lenten season and called for a deep introspection and reaffirmation of commitment to Nigeria’s unity.
He said, “Let us try to know that we are a community of one people. Let us try to know that the North, the South and the West are just for administrative convenience. Let us be united, for if we are segregated, we are not helping ourselves and the government at all levels.
“This sacred month (Ramadan) of reflection and renewal reminds us to choose stability over strife, collaboration over conflict and dialogue over discord.”
The highlight of the ceremony was a special prayer session for Hon. Ereyitomi, his family and constituents by the elated Muslim faithful, who were later treated to a sumptuous Iftar dinner ahead of the presentation of Ramadan gifts and cheques for the cash donations to the various mosques in Warri and its neighbourhood.
The appreciative recipients described the gesture variously as “unprecedented and uncommon.”
Spokesman of the Muslim faithful, Mallam Ahmed Abdul-Kadiri Shuru, in his vote of thanks, lauded Hon. Ereyitomi “for his usual sense of benevolence to the Muslim community in Warri and its environs.”
Shuru particularly thanked the lawmaker for the huge Ramadan gifts and donations he made to them, including the women, youths and others whom they represented in the visit.
He assured Ereyitomi of their unwavering support and solidarity, now and in the future.
He added, “Permit me to say the truth. We have had some individuals representing the Warri federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja, since the advent of the ongoing political dispensation in 1999. No one has shown such a kind gesture as you, Rt. Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi. We thank you for always showing respect and concern for the Muslim community in your constituency, especially the Arewa nucleus of the Islamic faith.
“No representative of Warri federal constituency has ever invited the Muslim faithful to his house to celebrate a Muslim festival. Your own is unique because you invited us at a time when every Nigerian needed help. Thank you, sir.”
