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Nigerians, particularly Muslims have been urged to embrace the teachings of Ramadan, which emphasize the importance of fair treatment without discrimination based on either gender, ethnicity, or religious considerations.
Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State Deputy Governor, gave the advise at the 7th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Special Prayers in memory of Late (Oba) Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, held at Mushin, Lagos, where he described Ramadan as a timely reminder that humanity is one body and that God has empowered everyone to act with kindness, fairness, and respect towards one another.
He said that worship should be reflected on how people treat others, stressing that ethnicity or social background, whether Yoruba, Igbo, or any other group, is part of God’s design and should never be a basis for division, but rather a foundation for unity and peaceful coexistence in the country.
“All these menaces, such as kidnapping, robbery, and other vices, should stop. As humanity, we should deal with ourselves with maximum love and respect. God has empowered all of us to treat each other well. We shouldn’t discriminate based on gender or ethnicity because it is not something one can control. I am a Yoruba man; I did not choose to be. Someone else is Igbo, and that does not matter. That is God’s choice,” Hamzat stated.
The Deputy Governor explained that the fasting period, observed annually by Muslims and Christians, serves as a spiritual reminder that actions have consequences, as whatever one sows will eventually be reaped.
He stressed that the essence of the season is to encourage good conduct, kindness toward neighbours, and peaceful coexistence within the community.
According to him, society can only thrive when people see themselves as one body, reject discrimination, and choose to relate with one another with fairness, compassion, and humanity.
Speaking further, the Deputy Governor noted that leadership in Nigeria requires not only knowledge but also the courage to take bold decisions that will drive sustainable growth and development. He added that the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are beginning to yield positive results, citing improvements in food prices, the oil sector, and the broader economy.
In his lecture, Imam Abdul-Ganiu Yusuf encouraged Muslims to make a meaningful impact wherever they find themselves, emphasizing that influence is not measured by title but by service, and faithfulness to using their positions justly, no matter how small, as platforms to contribute positively to their communities and uplift others.
Drawing inspiration from the life of the late Oba Mufutau Hamzat, he highlighted how the late monarch devoted himself to the welfare of his people and left a lasting legacy of service, noting that the late Oba’s life remains a powerful example of how dedication, compassion, and purposeful leadership can transform lives and strengthen society.
Imam Yusuf emphasized the need to do well and sow positive seeds, noting that whatever one does will surely be rewarded.
“We need to impact lives just like our late Oba did. He impacted people positively. We must learn not to do good because we expect something in return, but to do it for service and humanity, because whatever good we do to others, our children will also receive the reward,” he said.
