Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has urged residents to draw lessons from Eid-el-Kabir by embracing values of sacrifice, integrity and peaceful coexistence, saying the future of society depends on the moral foundation laid within families and communities.
Speaking
at the 2026 (1447 AH) Eid-ul-Adha celebration organised by the First Family of
Lagos State in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs at Lagos House,
Ikeja, on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu said the significance of the festival extended
beyond celebration and should inspire deeper reflection on faith, obedience and
service to humanity.
Addressing
a gathering of clerics, traditional rulers, public officials, community
leaders, women and youth groups, the Lagos First Lady said the occasion
provided an opportunity to revisit the example of Prophet Ibrahim, whose
willingness to submit to divine instruction remains central to the message of
Eid-ul-Adha.
Drawing
from the Qur’anic theme selected for the celebration, she urged residents to
make righteousness, compassion and humility guiding principles in their daily
lives.
“Our
diversity is a blessing and a source of strength. By embracing unity and
peaceful coexistence, we can continue to build a prosperous and inclusive Lagos
where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” she said.
Sanwo-Olu
argued that the message of the festival holds particular relevance for Lagos, a
city shaped by diverse ethnic, cultural and religious identities, noting that
social cohesion remains essential to its continued growth and stability.
She
called on residents to preserve the culture of tolerance which has
distinguished the state for decades, saying mutual respect across religious and
social divides remains one of Lagos’ greatest assets.
The
First Lady also placed emphasis on the role of parents in shaping future
generations, urging families to pay closer attention to the moral and spiritual
upbringing of children.
According
to her, discipline, character and reverence for God must remain at the centre
of efforts to prepare young people for leadership responsibilities in the years
ahead.
She
reiterated her office’s commitment to youth-focused interventions, pointing to
programmes designed to equip young people with educational opportunities,
mentorship and leadership skills.
Among
the initiatives highlighted was the recently held Muslim Sisters Seminar, which
featured discussions on personal development, security awareness, health
education and success from an Islamic perspective.
Sanwo-Olu
also acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Home Affairs and religious
stakeholders in promoting interfaith understanding and sustaining the
atmosphere of peace for which Lagos is known.
She
expressed hope that the enduring lessons of Eid-ul-Adha would encourage
residents to contribute positively to the state’s development and strengthen
the bonds that unite its diverse communities.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment