Lagos Governor,Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged Nigerian Muslims to use the ongoing Ramadan period to pray for the country so that peace can reign.
Sanwo-Olu,who gave the charge at the Annual State House Ramadan Tasfir for 2022 ,said it is only in the atmosphere of peace that the nation can witness development.
He was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
He added that Muslims should pray to prevent Satan from taking over the land as anti-social vices such as kidnapping, killing and many more are on the increase in the country.
He said: “I implore all Muslims to pray for this country so that we have peace. And that the spirit of shai’tan does not take over our land. All these killings, kidnapping, banditry and so on, we have to pray that Almighty Allah takes control of our country and bring back peace and happiness because without it nothing can happen. So, we have to pray for peace”
He suggested that in tackling the myriad of challenges facing the country, particularly insecurity, Nigerians need to seek intervention from all spheres and ensure that they do their best to restore peace and bring back humanity that the nation is known for.
In his remarks,Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, Commissioner for Home Affairs, said the current administration has kept the tradition of identifying with religion as a great partner in governance.
He enjoined all Muslim faithful to commit Lagos State and the Country at large into the hands of God as they pray throughout Ramadan.
He also urged all Muslim to avail themselves the training and serenity that Ramadan affords to cleanse their hearts, enrich their souls with virtues and dedicate themselves to the good of humanity and development of the nation.
In his lecture titled “Building the society upon the principles and teaching of Ramadan, Professor Ahmed Adedeji of the Department of Pharmacology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, stated that the oneness and goodness to one another exhibited by Islamic faithful during the month of Ramadan should be harnessed for the development of the nation.
He further urged clerics to be more involved in governance, adding that religious leaders should support the government through picking areas of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda set by the government and ensuring proper advocacy.