Muslims in the country have been advised to use this period of Ramadan to devote more time to prayers and supplication for God’s intervention in the affairs of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District III, Dr. Olufolayimika Ayandele, made the call at the annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the District for teachers and pupils at Victoria Island, Lagos.
She said that prayers are necessary to shield the State from external forces and also guarantee the national security of the country, noting that one of the lessons of Ramadan which is selflessness, must reflect in every Muslims prayer and supplication offered during this period.
Her words: “We use this season to seek for the face of our maker over a myriad of issues and situations confronting us as individuals. It is important that as we pray for ourselves during this Ramadan, we must also pray for our nation. This is the way we can exhibit selflessness in our prayers because the good and prosperity of our country is the good of every one of us”.
Dr. Ayandele also advised parents to continue to instil morals in their children by teaching them in the way of Allah which, according to her, will complement the efforts of school administrators and complement what the students are taught by their teachers.
Delivering the Ramadan Lecture at the event, tagged “Ramadan: Hope in Times of Despair”, the Guest Lecturer, Sheik Nushi Shamiy, pleaded with Muslims to exhibit godliness in addition to reaffirming their faith and belief in Allah.
He emphasised that those who are presently observing the mandatory fast must realise that, if their fast is not accompanied with good deeds it has no reward and amounts to nothing, stressing that God sees the intent of every human being and judges us by our actions and intentions.
He said, “I appreciate the efforts of these students who have recited the Quran, but it is important to note that the whole essence of a Muslim believer transcends the knowledge of the Quran, it is not just about memorising the verses of the Quran”.
“We must be renewed in our hearts and be determined to put into practice the teachings of the Quran. We must make it a guiding principle to do unto others what we want them to do to us in return”, the Guest Lecturer stated.
The Ramadan Lecture also featured a Quranic Recitation competition by student representatives from each of the zones within the District.
The competition was won by Lagos Island Zone, followed by Eti-Osa as the first runner-up while Epe and Ibeju-Lekki zones emerged third and fourth respectively.
