Hamzat Urges Nigerians To Use Ramadan For Unity, Fairness And Service

Lagos Deputy Governor Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has called on Nigerians, especially Muslims observing Ramadan, to reject discrimination and treat one another with fairness, love and respect.

Hamzat spoke in Mushin at the seventh annual Ramadan lecture and special prayers held in memory of the late Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat. He said the fasting season is a reminder that people are one human family and should not be divided by ethnicity, gender or social background.

According to him, worship should be visible in daily conduct, particularly in how people relate with neighbours and strangers. He said differences such as being Yoruba, Igbo or from any other ethnic group should not be used to create hostility, but should be seen as part of God’s design.

Hamzat said criminal activities, including kidnapping and robbery, must end, adding that social peace can only grow when citizens choose compassion over prejudice. He said no one chooses their ethnicity at birth, so discrimination on that basis is unjust and harmful to national unity.

He also said Ramadan, like other faith seasons of discipline and sacrifice, teaches that actions have consequences. In his view, the period should push people to sow good seeds through kindness, justice and service to others.

The deputy governor further argued that leadership in Nigeria demands both knowledge and courage. He said ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are beginning to show results, pointing to signs in food prices, the oil sector and the wider economy.

In his lecture, Imam Abdul-Ganiu Yusuf urged Muslims to make impact wherever they are, saying influence should be measured by service rather than title. He said even small positions can be used to advance justice and support communities.

Yusuf cited the life of the late Oba Mufutau Hamzat as an example of purposeful leadership, saying the monarch’s commitment to people’s welfare left a lasting legacy. He encouraged attendees to do good without expecting immediate reward, adding that sincere service to humanity carries lasting benefit for families and society.