BENIN CITY ––The Governor of Edo State, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor has lauded the cordial relationship between his administration and Muslim community in the state, saying the support, prayers and goodwill he has received have contributed to the success of the present administration.

Prof. Osunbor made the remark when the Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Abdul Fatai Enabulele led Muslim faithful in the state to visit him as part of the celebration of Eld-El-Fitri Sallah homage at Government House.

The governor thanked the Chief Imam for bringing to his attention, the need to redress the issue of environmental sanitation in the state, adding that as the people are aware, one of the areas of focus of his administration was for the environment to look much better than it is now.

He said the present administration was very concerned about the poor drainage and sanitation system in the state, saying that was why the administration was devoting more attention in addressing the issues of flooding, erosion and environmental degradation.

The governor added that he had enjoined the local government councils to take a cue from what had been done at the state level, by making local government roads more accessible and making their environment better.

He commended the Chief Imam for adding his voice to the problem affecting the state, adding that the office the elected officer occupied was being held in trust on behalf of the people.

He stated that what was of concern to the people must necessarily be of concern to elected public officers.

In an address at the occasion, the Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Enabulele said the central theme in all Ramadan activities was that of love; an element that seems to be in short supply at the moment in the Nigerian society.

He urged all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious inclination to use this holy period to pray for the country, so that the sacrifice of Ramadan could be replicated in governmental and personal relationships.

He added that the country needed prayers to touch the hearts of all the leaders so that they could be sensitive to the precarious condition of the people.

Alhaji Enabulele lauded Governor Osunbor’s administration’s free anti-malaria treatment for under-5 children and free ante-natal care and delivery for pregnant women in government hospitals in Edo State and prayed God to grant the governor power, energy, good health, strength and long life so that he could continue to provide the dividends of democracy to the good people of Edo State.

He, however, advised the governor that in order to sustain developmental drive in the area of road construction, he must involve the local government council chairmen so as to complement his effort, adding that most of the roads begging for attention now were the local council roads.

The Chief Imam then used the occasion to inform the governor that he would be the distinguished guest of honour at the launch of an appeal fund for the completion of the Benin Central Mosque at 134 Upper Igun Street, Benin City on October 18, 2008.