L-R: Chairman, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdulahi Sesan Olola; a recipient of the 2000 Palliative of the Renew Hope Initiative; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation, Mr Abdul-Kameel Opeyemi Ogungbo at the 19th Annual Ramadan Lecture in honour of the Late Parents of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, held at FOA Primary School Compound, Idado Ibeju-Lekki, on Sunday.
By Our Reporter
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called on Nigerians to use Ramadan and the Lenten period as a time for repentance, moral reflection, and the restoration of family values.
Hamzat made the call on Sunday at the 19th Annual Ramadan Lecture in honour of the Late Parents of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Alhaji Kalifa Shuaib Ogungbo and Alhaja Basira Ogungbo, themed: "Divine Justice: Repentance, Restitution and Re-Alignment," held at FOA Primary School Compound, Idado, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
The deputy governor stressed that true peace in society begins when individuals obey God’s teachings and treat their neighbours with respect.
His words, “For me, repentance and restitution are very important. It is not when you are about to die that you should seek repentance from God. When you have the strength and the energy, repent and stop whatever wrong you are doing.
"So I think we have the leverage. For me, what I take is that God is very kind. And that he allows us to misbehave, but we must repent, stop, and remember: it doesn't really affect Him. It affects us as human beings.”
The Deputy Governor noted that many societal challenges, including insecurity and distrust, stem from a failure to follow the teachings of the Qur’an, the Bible, and societal values that promote peaceful coexistence, underscoring that the essence of being a Muslim or simply a good human being is to follow divine teachings and treat neighbors well, just as he added that adhering to these principles fosters a harmonious and peaceful society.
Dr. Hamzat, while pointing out the importance of love and harmony within the community, explained that Islam teaches that one cannot be a good Muslim unless one's neighbors can sleep in peace, emphasizing that respecting others and avoiding actions that disturb them is central to societal well-being.
The deputy governor noted further that wrongdoings affected people, not God, citing that if the Qur’an says no one should steal, individuals cannot steal from God; they can only steal from their neighbors, which undermines trust and weakens the community.
Speaking further, Dr. Hamzat highlighted the role of parents in guiding the younger generation, stating that children must be taught the difference between right and wrong, understand God’s teachings, and respect elders, even as he noted that elders are not only parents but also anyone older in the community.
The Deputy Governor also reminded Nigerians that respect for elders is a cornerstone of every culture, whether Yoruba, Igbo, or others, and that this value strengthens communities.
Hamzat, therefore, urged parents, particularly fathers, to fulfill their responsibilities by providing for their families, caring for them, and raising their children with moral guidance.
“For parents, it is our responsibility to train our children properly and let them understand the teachings of God and our culture. If we do this, our society will be stronger and more peaceful,” he concluded.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Abdul-Kabir Opeyemi Ogungbo, said the initiative was established 19 years ago by his late parents, Alhaji Kalifa Shuaib Ogungbo and Alhaja Kalifa Basira Ogungbo, as an act of devotion and service to humanity, adding that the modest spiritual gathering had grown into a meaningful platform for reflection, spiritual renewal, and the strengthening of moral consciousness within the society.
Ogungbo noted that the Tafsir over the years had evolved beyond being an annual religious gathering, but had become a moment where faith, knowledge and public responsibility intersect, providing an opportunity for leaders, scholars, professionals and members of the community to pause from the demands of governance and daily pursuits to reflect on the moral and spiritual principles that guide their lives and leadership.
Speaking on the aptness of the theme, the Special Adviser noted that the Qur’an repeatedly reminds believers that Allah commands justice, fairness, and accountability in all human affairs.
He stressed that justice in Islam is not merely a legal principle but a moral and spiritual obligation that governs the relationship between humans and Allah, as well as with one another.
In his lecture, themed: “Divine Justice: Repentance, Restitution and Re-Alignment,” Alhaji Abdul-Wakeel Ogungbo noted that restitution is important and individuals must seek repentance before death, adding that those who had committed sins should repent sincerely, not just because of the situation they had found themselves in, and made.
The cleric noted that if Allah would demand accountability even from animals, then human beings should be more mindful of their actions.
"Whatever you do, Allah is recording it, and you will be questioned about every single action. The impact and consequences of your deeds will follow you everywhere. Therefore, be mindful that Allah is always with you.
"No wrongdoing goes unpunished except through sincere repentance. Practice self-restraint, remember Allah at all times, and surround yourself with friends who influence you positively and guide you in the ways of Allah,” he said.
Speaking further, Alhaji Ogungbo added that many of the challenges facing Nigeria today were a result of human actions and behaviours such as injustice, dishonesty, and other social vices.
He, therefore, urged individuals to also reflect on their conduct, stressing that unanswered prayers of any nation could be linked to the actions and behaviours of the citizens themselves.
Post a Comment