Nigeria cannot develop without national unity and cohesion- Lagos Deputy Governor

*Photo L-R: Dr Hamzat, Alhaji Oladejo*

Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat has said  that Nigeria cannot develop without national unity and cohesion.

Hamzat stated this on Saturday
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.”

*Dignitaries at the event *

He said a situation where a man would divorce his woman and leave the children for her is not acceptable, adding this is against the teachings of the Qur’an and tradition of Prophet Muhammad.

*L-R: Mrs Salako-Oyedele, Dr Hamzat*

He said research has shown that there are many women today who have become widows not become 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 nationalelections has resonated around the religion of candidates. Thesetendencies 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 of the three concepts and the Islamic meaning of them. If we understand and imbibe them surely we can build a new nation.”

Kadiri further stated that Nigeria must redefine its politics and place emphasis on merit, competence in place of region and religion.

He warned that Nigerians must avoid the antics of politicians playing up ethnic and tribal cards for their own  selfish interest.

He said, “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 ournational debate and cloud civil discourse that could show us the way to prosperity.

“Experience has shown that inter-tribal squabbling often take 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.”

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 alleviate 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 no 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.”

Nigeria is a multi-religious society.and it’s peopleare deeply religious. We pray about any and everything. We outwardly profess our faith in virtually all aspects of private and public lives. So religious are we that we often engage ourselves blindly, supposedly in defence of our faith. We are ever suspicious of others who are not of are faith. This has led us to all manners of accomodations and balancing acts to the detriment of our national growth and development

However, it could be asked in this extremely and overwhelming religious environment what has been our results? Has Religion been a bane or a benefit? . I am of the view that religion is a potent force for unity if properly managed.

STATE OF OUR UNION:

Permit me to borrow this term used by the Americans to described the annual.address of their President to the Parliament. It is often used to put policies and accomplishments on display. It highlights national challenges too. I borrowed this term so as to put in proper perspectives our discussions.

Many Nigerians talk about Nigeria’s as a failed state. They refer to the various insurgencies and the security situation in the country. The state of the economy and rampant poverty amidst the extensive human and natural resources that are available to us. There is marked distance between the rich and the poor. It is even said there is no longer the middle class. There is a gap between the governed and the government. Palpable and potent corruption is rampant.

Our political landscape continuously show up violence, wanton display of hostilities and ethnic clamouring. We are quick to resort to name callings and play tribal cum religious cards to enhance our positions or win contests. All of these are the state of the nation.

Our nation is today experiencing the debilitatingBoko Haram insurgency, the herders/farme’s clashes. Numerous attacks on places of worship and schools and even kidnappings.

It is not uncommon to see call for complete disintegration as well as regionalism. For others we just need to rework our system through true federalism. There are complaints of overcentralisation of the federal system. These concepts often disguise deep seated mistrust among Nigerians. we have the example of IPOB clamourings.   It is our history too that we fought a civil war. The realities and lessons of that war currently seem lost to us.

Also, 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 actual using its renewed hope agenda.

The post Nigeria cannot develop without national unity and cohesion- Lagos Deputy Governor appeared first on The Shield Online!.