Nigerians must prioritise family values for national progress – Hamzat

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has urged Nigerians to recommit to upholding family values for the betterment of the nation.

Hamzat gave charge at the 85th Anniversary Lecture and Luncheon of Crescent Bearers (1939), Lagos.

Supreme News reports that Crescent Bearers, founded in 1939, is an association of Muslim gentlemen from Lagos Island. It is focused on promoting education, religion, and socio-cultural activities.

The event had the theme 'Islam and Family Values: Building a Nation of Citizens’.

It was held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on Sunday.

The deputy governor said that fostering family values would enrich lives and promote integrity, unity, and progress.

He added that there was a need for society to address issues affecting families to ensure a brighter future.

According to him, through a collective responsibility guided by faith, respect and love, Nigerians can build a nation of responsible and compassionate society.

Hamzat urged Nigerians to work together so as to uphold the values and make the country a beacon of hope, peace and prosperity.

“As we look to the future, let us renew our commitment to upholding Islamic and family values.

“By fostering these principles in our homes and communities, we are not only enriching our own lives but also laying the groundwork for a nation rooted in integrity, unity and progress,” he said.

He said that for a nation to flourish, it must produce responsible citizens committed to ethical behaviors and aware of their roles in the society’s progress.

He said that Islamic and family values provided a moral compass to foster the qualities.

“Islamic values and, by implication, family values that are entrenched in the teachings of Allah, encourage community engagement.

“By embracing the Islamic principles of charity and community service, families can inspire younger generations to volunteer, engage in public service, contribute to societal well-being, and promote empathy and understanding,” Hamzat said.

He said that building a virile nation would have its core roots in family values.

Hamzat described the family as the cornerstone of a society and the bedrock upon which communities were built.

“A strong family unit is crucial for a stable society. Without it, efforts to build a better society may be futile.”

Earlier, Mr. Abdulwasiu Martins, the Chairman of the Crescent Bearers (1939), Lagos, praised the society’s founding fathers for vision and initiatives.

He highlighted the group’s achievements, including the award of scholarships to no fewer than 450 Muslim students in Lagos tertiary institutions.

He thanked the Almighty for keeping society for the past 85 years in spite of challenges.

Mrs. Maryam Lemu, Founder, Maryam Lemu Marriage Academy, in a lecture entitled 'Islam and Family Values Building: A Nation of Citizens’, said that parents remained the best and primary teachers to their children.

She urged them to lead by example, saying that their actions shaped their children’s lives.

Lemu said that parents’ sacrifices and devotion to their children’s well-being demonstrated their commitment to raising responsible and compassionate individuals.

"As parents, we lead by example by doing what is right and being compassionate and good ambassadors to people around us.

“By so doing, we are not only encouraging them to be good but also preparing for our old age,” she said.

Lemu urged Nigerians to leave situations better than they met them and leave good legacies.

“They should always do something that will have a positive impact on society,” she said.

She advised them to make a difference in their respective corners and be passionate about the development of people around them.