Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, yesterday, said that without national unity and cohesion, Nigeria cannot develop.
Hamzat stated this as the keynote speaker at the 8th General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) held at the University of Lagos with the theme, ‘Rebuilding National Unity and Understanding: The Quest for Equity, Justice and Fairness in a Multi-religious Society.’
He said a situation where a man would divorce his woman and leave the children for her is not acceptable, adding that this is against the teachings of the Qur’an and tradition of Prophet Muhammad.
Hamzat said research has shown that there are many women today who have become widows not because their husbands are dead but because they have abdicated their duties of caring for the family to their wives.
He said: “Religion has markedly become a critical factor in the current state of our unity. Attacks have taken place in Mosques and Churches. People have been killed resulting from religious altercations. More recently, a whole national elections has resonated around the religion of candidates. These tendencies indeed have grave consequences.
“Today, however, I dare postulate that in the embers of our challenges, there are magnificent possibilities that we can make a headway and it is to our “religiousness” that we must turn. When we are so guided by the knowledge of the divine and by our faith teachings, then our society will thrive once again.
“The question remains how exactly? I think it lies in understanding the three concepts and the Islamic meaning of them. If we understand and imbibe them, surely we can build a new nation.”
Hamzat further stated that Nigeria must redefine its politics and place emphasis on merit, competence in place of region and religion.
He warned Nigerians to avoid the antics of politicians playing up ethnic and tribal cards for their own selfish interest.
“A recurring decimal from the above is the underpinning claim of lack of equity, justice and fairness. Debate about resource control and access to political office (zoning) are expressed primordial sentiments. They often colour our national debate and cloud civil discourse that could show us the way to prosperity.
“Experience has shown that inter-tribal squabbling often takes on the garb of religion since the prevalence of religion co-terminates our three dominant ethnic groupings. North is essentially Muslim, the East is Christian and West is primarily a mixture of both,” he added.
Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, also urged the Muslim Ummah to be united, adding the Ummah also needs education, which he stated is the greatest route to alleviating poverty.
He admonished the Ummah to be guided by good intention in their activities.
Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, called on Muslims to be involved in politics, saying there are not enough Muslims in the political space.
“We have to be where power is served and power is not served ala carte. Participate and support the people in that space. We need unity; we need to work together,” she said.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of Ekiti State, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, assured that the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, would continue to protect the interest of the Muslims even as he pledged support for MUSWEN.
President of MUSWEN, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo prayed for the administration of President Bola Tinubu to succeed in actualising its Renewed Hope Agenda
