Francesca Odimgbe
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called on Nigerians to embrace patience, peaceful coexistence, and strict adherence to the rule of law, stressing the importance of godliness and mutual respect in fostering a harmonious society.
Speaking after the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Dodan Barracks praying ground in Ikoyi on Wednesday where he joined President Bola Tinubu for the Eid Prayer, Dr Hamzat urged citizens to remain tolerant and considerate towards one another, noting that peace and unity are essential for sustainable development and social stability.
“We must be patient with each other, obedient to the rule of law, and fear God. To fear God means you do not kill another human being, and you do not hurt another human being. Therefore, we must live in peace and harmony,” he said.
The Deputy Governor further emphasised the need for residents to uphold values that promote understanding, compassion, and communal living, particularly during periods of religious celebration.
He also charged parents and guardians to take deliberate responsibility for raising children with strong moral values, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards others, emphasising that the lessons of the season go beyond celebration and should inspire families to nurture children who are selfless, respectful, and mindful of the impact of their actions on their families and society at large.
“Our children should be taught to consider how their conduct reflects on their family name, friendships, and the wider community. Parents and guardians, therefore, play a vital role in building a peaceful society by instilling values of love, empathy, and obedience to lawful authority in the younger generation,” he said.
Hamzat added that the decline of peace and compassion in society has contributed to insecurity and violence, expressing hope and prayers that Nigerians would collectively reject hatred and embrace the spirit of unity and peaceful coexistence.
Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, urged Nigeria, especially Muslims, to shun all acts of indiscipline, violence, and terrorism in the country to ensure a peaceful presence, progress, and development in the nation.
He noted that the essence of Islam is love, compassion, and peaceful coexistence, admonishing citizens to be more passionate about the development of their country and states, highlighting that there is violence everywhere in the country and that there is a need for all to be passionate about the betterment of everyone.
Abou-Nolla said the essence of Eid-el-Kabir is sacrifice, citing the sacrifices of leaders such as MKO Abiola and Pa Obafemi Awolowo, among other heroes of the past, whose integrity was built on national unity, selflessness, and commitment to humanity.
“We must ensure that the struggles of our heroes of the past never go in vain. It is essential for us to follow their footsteps in ensuring that our great nation continues to grow in leaps and bounds. It is also important to note that our unity as a nation is supposed to supersede,” he advised.