Lagos religious leaders urged to preach family values, personal responsibility

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called on religious leaders in the state to focus their sermons on the significance of personal responsibility and family values to tackle the myriads of problems facing Nigeria. 

Hamzat who spoke at the commissioning of the Ultra-Modern Quranic Central Mosque and turbanning of Admiral Jubrila Ayinla and his wife, Alhaja Jemilah Ayinla, as the New Baba Adinni and Amira Tul-Mehmeen of Quranic Muslim Community respectively; emphasised that lack of personal responsibility is becoming an issue in the country and must be addressed for the required progress and development. 

He said, “Many people are of the opinion that the problem of Nigeria is leadership but this is not 100per cent correct in my view. The problem is that the family has broken up and there is a lack of personal responsibility in the country. Many people have left their responsibilities undone, which is having negative effects on the society and the country at large,” 

While he called on all citizens irrespective of their religion to take personal responsibility very important and play their roles effectively and efficiently; he stressed that leadership starts from the home and remains the bedrock of any developed society. 

Earlier in his paper titled: ‘Revisiting the Centrality of the Mosque and the Quran in Islam’, the Guest Speaker, Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi, stressed the importance of the Quran as a book of guidance that must be studied and inculcated by all Muslims. 

He implored parents to learn from the guidance of the Holy Quran and follow the examples of the prophets, who effectively guided their children to serve and worship the Almighty Allah for heavenly rewards. 

Prof. Gbadamosi further mentioned that there is a need to establish classes for the study of the Quran for the benefit of all categories of worshippers – male, female, young and old; adding that tutors should also be engaged from reputable schools and centres across the country to teach the people.   

The Vice President, Quranic Central Mosque, Lagos, Alhaji Shakirudeen Olatunji Giwa, disclosed that the mosque was initially built in 1877, rebuilt and commissioned in 1987 and now reconstructed to ultra-modern standard through financial support received from members and non-members of the mosque.