RAZORNEWS NIGERIA | December 13, 2020
Major Birchi Isah Yakubu, Chief Imam, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi on Friday said that the advent of COVID-19 had affected the rate at which members turned out for religious activities.
Yakubu said this during a special prayer Jumat session held for its retirees at NAFRC mosque.
“The pandemic, however, is a global issue that had affected every sphere of life and not just the religious aspect.
“We, however, thank Allah for everything because as long as there is life, there if hope,” he said.
The major said that the prayer session was to seek Allah’s intervention in preparing the retirees as they are been transitioned from a life of military to a life of civility.
“We seek Allah’s intervention for forgiveness of offences no matter how grievous it has been during the course of their service.
“I urge them to also forgive one another in whatever way they might have erred in other to create a smooth transition to civilian life,” Yakubu said.
He said that this gathering would be the second largest the retirees would have since they joined the service after their depot.
“The next big gathering they may be witnessing might be when they go for pension before they can see each other like this again.
“So they should try as much as possible to forgive each other and also continue praying to Allah to grant them their heart desires,” he said.
The Imam in his capacity advised the retirees to be careful with their utterances as they would be going back to the society to live as civilians.
“They have been in position of power and now that they are retiring they should be mindful of the kind of information they divulge to the public.
“I urge them not to allow themselves be used by unscrupulous politicians to cause calamity or any kind of evil plot against the unity of the country,” Yakubu said.
Also speaking, Air Commodore Taofiki Oladega, Director of Admin, NAFRC said that the prayer was to commemorate the forth coming passing out parade of the trainees which is scheduled for Friday, Dec.18.
Oladega said that 186 people would be retiring on the said date therefore, they prayed for blessings, long life and for them to have a happy retirement life.
“The prayer is part of the activities lined up for the event which will make it successful because putting God first in whatever you do will guarantee it’s success,” he said.
Oladega commended and described the effort of the new commandant of NAFRC as exemplary.