The Oloro of Oro Kingdom in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II, has flagged off free daily provision of meal to Muslim faithful in Oro kingdom for breaking of fast in the ongoing Ramadan.
The meal is being cooked daily in the sprawling palace of Oba Olufayo in the ancient town to mitigate hardship on the part of the less privileged in the community.
The free feeding for the fasting Muslims would last throughout the period of the sacred Islamic month.
It was observed that the palace of Oba Olufayo, a Christian, had turned to a mecca of some sort where fasting Muslims troop to in the evening to benefit from the free meal.
The traditional ruler said the free feeding was his personal contribution to the well-being of his subjects and other residents of Oro Kingdom.
Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye noted that the Muslim fasting period coincides with Lent for Christian community, saying that the coincidence of the two sacred months is a pointer for Nigerians to cultivate religious tolerance and steer clear of divisive tendencies.
“The daily free meal for our people, particularly Muslim faithful in Oro Kingdom is my personal contribution to the well-being of my people.
“We understand the situation of our society that our people are struggling to eke out a living. And this daily free feeding is to mitigate hardship and bring succour to the people, especially in this sacred moment in our life.
“The free meal for Muslim faithful started since the commencement of Ramadan and our arrangement is to ensure that it is available throughout the period of the month so that people would have reasons to smile and worship their Lord.
“One good thing about this year’s Ramadan is that it coincides with the Lent period for Christian. And this tells a lot about religious tolerance on our part as people of different faith but of the same community. Let us be our brother’s keeper and steer clear of those tendencies that would turn us apart.
“The betterment of our society is in our hands. We owe this nation so much in mobilizing ourselves for spiritual growth so that it can manifest in our national life,” Oloro said.
Oloro noted that some individuals are already partnering with the palace to provide food for the people, and he urged wealthy and well-to-do members of the community to lend their support.
He emphasized that increased contributions would help expand the palace’s feeding program and reach more people during the holy month of Ramadan.
He added that many families are struggling to afford meals for iftar and sahur, stressing that with additional support, the palace could provide food for thousands of people in need.
