RAMADAN LECTURE: LAGOS DEPUTY GOV, HAMZAT URGES PARENTS TO INSTILL HUMANITY IN CHILDREN
By: Adedeji Monsurat Adenike
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called on parents to guide their children on the right path to cultivate a deeper understanding of humanity and its core values.
Speaking on Sunday, Dr. Hamzat gave the admonishment at the Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Council, themed: “Understanding the Inner Dimensions of Islamic Brotherhood” held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island,
He noted that while science and technology continue to advance rapidly, children must not lose sight of the essence of humanity, which binds society together.
According to him, “The challenges in Nigeria are youthful exuberance and money ritual, among other vices. With science and technology, the question is how do we protect children, particularly Muslims, from the negative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? It is in our hands as parents to train our children because science and technology may take the essence of humanity away from them.”
The Deputy Governor went further by emphasising vital role parents play in the lives of their children, urging them to be actively involved in nurturing and guiding them, regardless of their busy schedules. He stressed that parental guidance is crucial and essential for children’s development, as it is very significant in shaping their young minds.
While commending the organisation for being around for the past 100 years, Hamzat appreciated every member of the association for sustaining the objectives of the founding fathers.
“The people that started this were not necessarily rich but they just wanted education for the Muslim children and it’s been sustained. So we must appreciate every member of Ansar Ud-Deen for sustaining it and pray that they continue to do it and the same goes for all the associations”.
In his goodwill message, Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatubde Raji Fashola (SAN), encouraged Nigerians to remain patient and calm, trusting that the government’s efforts will lead to a brighter future for the nation.
Fashola’s words, “I believe that our country will be great if we can be patient and calm, joy will come. Let us be patient. Let us live in harmony and we will all enjoy the greatness of our country, Nigeria.
Earlier in his Lecture, titled: “Understanding the Inner Dimension of Islam Brotherhood”, the National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and Oversees, Sheikh Abdur’Rahman Olanrewaju Ahmad stressed the importance of brotherhood in Islam, noting that Islam teaches Muslims to be compassionate and to demonstrate love, kindness, and mercy towards one another, regardless of their religion or background.
Sheikh Ahmad noted that Allah teaches Muslims to love and live in peace with each other, stressing that “We need to live in peace with ourselves. Allah teaches us to be compassionate, merciful, and caring to the people around us. There will not be a religion when our relationship with Allah is perfect and our relationship with our brother in Islam or otherwise is hostile or toxic.”
He charged them to emulate the good deeds of other religious bodies, who give priority to the welfare and well-being of their members, stressing that Islam is not the property of any race but is a compassionate religion of love.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Council, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Salaudeen urged the Muslim faithful to take advantage of the month of physical and spiritual cleansing of Muslims to observe all that Allah enjoins them to do and do away with.
He added that they should be their brothers’ keepers in the face of the economic situation that currently pervades the country. “Extend the hand of succour and assistance to the needy, the poor, and the less privileged around you to ease their affairs. May Almighty Allah accept all our good deeds as an act of Ibadah,” the Chairman said.
Alhaji Salaudeen stated that the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society remains committed to making non-Muslims see the beauty of Islam, noting that the society has revitalised high values that Islam teaches and they have always embarked on a lot of life-changing programmes and activities that make Muslims and even non-Muslims see Islam as a religion of peace, love, and unity.
