Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has urged Nigerians to internalize the core tenents of Ramadan by fostering an environment of fair treatment and mutual respect, devoid of ethnic, religious, or gender-based discrimination.
Speaking on Saturday at the 7th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Special Prayers held in Mushin, Lagos, in honor of the late Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, the Deputy Governor described the holy month as a vital reminder of the shared bonds of humanity.
Dr. Hamzat emphasized that worship is hollow if it is not reflected in how individuals treat their neighbors.
He argued that ethnic identities, whether Yoruba, Igbo, or any other, are divine designs intended for unity rather than division.
He condemned prevailing social vices such as kidnapping and robbery, stating that the empowerment given by God to mankind should be utilized to act with kindness and fairness.
“I am a Yoruba man; I did not choose to be. Someone else is Igbo, and that does not matter. That is God’s choice,” he stated, adding that society can only thrive when citizens reject discrimination and embrace their collective identity as one body.
Beyond spiritual admonition, the Deputy Governor touched on the current national landscape, noting that leadership requires the courage to make difficult decisions for long-term growth.
He asserted that the economic reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are beginning to yield positive results, specifically pointing to signs of stabilization in food prices and the oil sector.
He framed the current fasting period as a spiritual checkpoint for all Nigerians to remember that actions have consequences and that whatever one sows will eventually be reaped.
The event featured a lecture by Imam Abdul-Ganiu Yusuf, who encouraged the congregation to prioritize service over titles.
Drawing from the legacy of the late Oba Mufutau Hamzat, the cleric highlighted how the late monarch’s dedication to the welfare of his people serves as a blueprint for purposeful leadership.
He urged attendees to sow positive seeds in their communities, reminding them that the rewards of selfless service often extend beyond the individual to benefit their children and future generations.