Embrace strong family ties to fight violence, insecurity, Sanwo-Olu tells Nigerians

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has tasked Nigerians to give urgent attention to the need to go back to the strong family ties that have been the bedrock of stability in the country in time past, declaring that the breakdown of the family system was the source of the various challenges and insecurity bedevilling Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu gave this charge, on Sunday, while speaking at the 2021 Annual Ramadhan Tafsir of the Lagos State Branch of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria held at the LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The governor, who was by the deputy governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, added that the failure in the family system was causing more havoc in the society as many parents had left their roles unperformed.

The governor stressed the need to strengthen the family values and system in order to build a better society, calling on religious leaders to assist in the restoration of the family system which is described as a very vital institution in the society.

“We are no longer accommodating, there is a breakdown in the family. The Muslim community need to start speaking to one another on the importance of family because if the family system should stand, then 50 per cent of our problems are solved.

“The family is the foundation of the society and there is a reason we all have parents and our job as parents is to guide our wards, to protect them and direct them. Every child has a tendency of misbehaving and the role of the parent is to make sure they guide their children in the right direction. If this is missing the foundation is broken,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Speaking on the topic, “Security-through Justice, Equity and Good Governance, the lecturer and National Missioner of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and Overseas, Sheik Abdur-Rahman Olanrewaju Ahmad who lamented the various challenges and insecurity bedevilling the country, emphasizing that no matter the amount spent on training and acquiring ammunition for the security agencies and personnel, if there was no justice, equity and good governance, there won’t be peace in the country as there would always be agitations.

He said to stem the tide of insecurity and the clamour for secession in the country, “there must be diffusion of power, equal right to government positions, justice and fairness, equity and good governance.”

The cleric argued that equity was the basis for good governance, adding that if there was no justice and equity in the country, people would resolve to self-help, but quickly called on the government to protect the citizens.

Speaking further, Sheik Olanrewaju said powers must rotate among the six geo-political zones of the country, pointing out that the measure would reduce the fear of marginalisation which he noted was causing agitations and call for secession in the country.

According to the Islamic leader, every zone must have access to the leadership of this country, even as he demanded that Nigerians must be allowed to vote according to their conscience and should vote for competence and honesty as against on tribal or religion basis.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, Alhaji Kamorudeen Aremu Salami, commended the state governor, Mr Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Hamzat for fulfilling their campaign promises since assuming office in the state through the provision of infrastructure and other amenities that had impacted positively on the lives of the people of Lagos State.

He, therefore, called on the state government to do more in ensuring the security of lives and property of citizens in the state.

Speaking further, Alhaji Salami emphasized that the month of Ramadhan calls for sober reflection and is a time of extending abundant pleasantries and generosity to the weak, the down-trodden and the needy in the society.

He enjoined everyone to be steadfast in prayers and to move closer to their creator as Ramadhan “is a month of forgiveness, acceptance of prayer, getting closer to Allah, especially solidarity with the less privileged people in the society.”

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Embrace strong family ties to fight violence, insecurity, Sanwo-Olu tells Nigerians