As Muslims the world over enter the sacred month of Ramadan, Islamic clerics across Ilorin Emirate have been charged on the need to focus their attention towards defeating the series of developmental challenges militating against greater and more qualitative transformation of the community.

This appeal was contained in a congratulatory message to the people of Ilorin Emirate by the National President of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union(IEDPU),Alhaji Aliyu Otta Uthman, fsi,on the commencement of this year's Ramadan fast.

In a statement signed on his behalf by the Union's National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Imam, Alhaji Uthman reiterated the fact that "Ramadan is an annual opportunity for Muslims to rediscover the essence of their creation in order to rebuild themselves for our society to be much better".

The retired intelligence technocrat said that the month of Ramadan in Ilorin Emirate and most especially in the city of Ilorin cannot be compared with that of any other place,saying that one of the factors accounting for the huge difference is the total submissiveness of the generality of the people to spirituality,which is helped with the preponderance of stimulating lectures from scholars who often dedicated their time and energy to reminding their listeners of the expectations of their Maker.

While acknowledging the enduring and pervasive influence of religious leaders on the people of Ilorin Emirate, Alhaji Uthman charged preachers,no matter the medium they used, to focus their messages on good conducts and social engineering methodologies for the benefit of the present and future generations of our people.

Alhaji Uthman also reminded those who are privileged to always find a way of extending hands of support to those he called "their struggling compatriots" during the month of Ramadan and beyond,saying that the more that is done the more divine rewards and eternal blessings that go to the givers.

The IEDPU President also rejoiced with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Emir of Ilorin,who doubles as the Chairman, Kwara State Council of Emirs and Obas,Alhaji (Dr)Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, as well as the generality of the people of Ilorin Emirate on the commencement of the Holy month.

Alhaji Uthman, while praying Allah to grant all long life and good health to accomplish the spiritual rejuvenation and many more of it,wished the people of Ilorin and the rest of the global Muslim community a very peaceful and fruitful Ramadan season.