₦airaland Forum

Religious leaders in Lagos might be integrated into the salary structure of Lagos State as the government seeks to re-orientate its residents.


The Lagos State Government has announced plans to engage some religious leaders, including pastors and imams, and place them on a salary structure.

The commissioner disclosed that the state government would continue to interact with religious leaders, and tasked them to be above board and encourage their followers to shun corruption.

He said: “We shall be willing to even engage many of them by making provision for their salaries so that they can assist government to re-orientate the people for good.

“Imams and Pastors are believed to be men of God. So we need all of you to help us to encourage the right values in the society; particularly in the area of accountability and anti-corruption.

“We must remember that the Almighty Allah will ask all of us to render account of our deeds in the hereafter. So, the Imams and other religious clerics should lead us in the right direction because they are our leaders.”

Source : https://www.collegegist.com.ng/2018/07/lagos-state-government-to-place-pastors.html

Cc.
Lalasticlala
Seun
Mynd44

Hmmm bad move by the Lagos State government.... if I may ask...what is the offering and seed they collect meant for?ambode should know giving money to clergy doesn't guarantee him heaven...

waiting for the men of God to tell you that corruption is bad you will wait till eternity

IgweBUIKE1:
Hmmm bad move by the Lagos State government.... if I may ask...what is the offering and seed they collect meant for?ambode should know giving money to clergy doesn't guarantee him heaven...

I am sorry I have to comment on this thread. I personally believe it is the right move. You are very correct for saying:

"what is the offering and seed they collect meant for?"

Remember this question of yours only applies to Christian pastors. And I believe those pastors that are getting offerings should be exempted from this program.

Most muslim imams do not get any kind of financial benefits from abled body. And voluntary donations by muslims are basically meant for upkeep of the mosques. Ways those imams make money SOMETIMES is through some activities like naming ceremony, Quran recitation and competition, Quran banquet or walimot, nikkah. These activities are seldom. They are not monthly. So imagine how do they eat and provide for their families?


It is very hard. That's why you see some of them doing illegal activities. In Saudi Arabia and Iran, they take care of their imams and all those Muslims tasked to oversee upkeep of mosques. So Lagos initiative would gradually reduce illegal activities attached to religion so long as govt maintain properly. However this should not mean funding their pilgrimages. I won't support that.

That been said, this should not be used to control them from speaking the truth. Here lies the problem. You can't give them monthly salary to silence them. This won't work either. So monthly salary should be extended to all the folks tasked to maintain religious houses.

Empiree:
I am sorry I have to comment on this thread. I personally believe it is the right move. You are very correct for saying:





Remember this question of yours only applies to Christian pastors. And I believe those pastors that are getting offerings should be exempted from this program.

Most muslim imams do not get any kind of financial benefits from abled body. And voluntary donations by muslims are basically meant for upkeep of the mosques. Ways those imams make money SOMETIMES is through some activities like naming ceremony, Quran recitation and competition, Quran banquet or walimot, nikkah. These activities are seldom. They are not monthly. So imagine how do they eat and provide for their families?


It is very hard. That's why you see some of them doing illegal activities. In Saudi Arabia and Iran, they take care of their imams and all those Muslims tasked to oversee upkeep of mosques. So Lagos initiative would gradually reduce illegal activities attached to religion so long as govt maintain properly. However this should not mean funding their pilgrimages. I won't support that.

That been said, this should not be used to control them from speaking the truth. Here lies the problem. You can't give them monthly salary to silence them. This won't work either. So monthly salary should be extended to all the folks tasked to maintain religious houses.

I beg to differ, can't they work or something?

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a farmer prior to becoming prophet.

Being an imam shouldn't stop you from working, they can work as a teacher, a lecturer etc.

I see some small small boys saying they are doing " ise alfa"
They refuse to go to school or learn a trade, all they do is extort people of their hard earned money.

Well nothing surprises me anymore, most clerics nowadays are more concerned about gathering wealth than propagating Islam.

They preach about humility but they are the first to show off their latest car.
They preach equality but they are unjust to their wives at home etc

I'm not saying they shouldn't pay them but they should find something doing too.

Splendidsun:
I beg to differ, can't they work or something?

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a farmer prior to becoming prophet.

Being an imam shouldn't stop you from working, they can work as a teacher, a lecturer etc.

I see some small small boys saying they are doing " ise alfa"
They refuse to go to school or learn a trade, all they do is extort people of their hard earned money.

Well nothing surprises me anymore, most clerics nowadays are more concerned about gathering wealth than propagating Islam.

They preach about humility but they are the first to show off their latest car.
They preach equality but they are unjust to their wives at home etc

I'm not saying they shouldn't pay them but they should find something doing too.

Well, you right but in this context, I'm talking about full time imams. You can't be full and have lots more time for all other things. Being imam is not restricted to only offering salat. It includes marriage counseling and others. In New York, those paid imams, even though some of them have side career or job, they must have full time and be available for consultation. Some muslims come for learning things. Imam has to be available. So it is not all about just leading salat.


Yes, they should have decent job on the side too. But if you want imam to be constantly available for salat, they have to be paid monthly. This is why Sheikh Sudais is paid too. Some of these imam in Nigeria have professional certificates but Nigeria doesn't recognize Islamic education. This is major setback.


Also, masajid should have evening or afternoon class (tuition) headed by qualified imams. I just don't know Nigeria settings on this. But they should be paid if we want them to be available for our needs.

As for the youths who claimed they are doing "Ise Alfa", they are simply lazy youths that need education and get out to look for job.

Empiree:
Well, you right but in this context, I'm talking about full time imams. You can't be full and have lots more time for all other things. Being imam is not restricted to only offering salat. It includes marriage counseling and others. In New York, those paid imams, even though some of them have side career or job, they must have full time and be available for consultation. Some muslims come for learning things. Imam has to be available. So it is not all about just leading salat.


Yes, they should have decent job on the side too. But if you want imam to be constantly available for salat, they have to be paid monthly. This is why Sheikh Sudais is paid too. Some of these imam in Nigeria have professional certificates but Nigeria doesn't recognize Islamic education. This is major setback.


Also, masajid should have evening or afternoon class (tuition) headed by qualified imams. I just don't know Nigeria settings on this. But they should be paid if we want them to be available for our needs.

As for the youths who claimed they are doing "Ise Alfa", they are simply lazy youths that need education and get out to look for job.

Alright then I get your point.