Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has called on parents and religious leaders to take urgent steps in addressing the decline of societal values, emphasizing their role in shaping the moral compass of future generations.
Speaking at the 20th Late Justice Muri Okunola Memorial Ramadan Lecture on Sunday at the Radio Lagos/Eko FM Marquee, Hamzat expressed concern over the erosion of family values, attributing it to parental neglect and the failure to instill strong moral foundations in children.
“Our sermons must now evolve in the mosques and churches. The issue now is, how do we start to re-orientate ourselves toward making our society better?” he asked.
“As we all know, the corporate world has changed the DNA of our women to what they are not.
“Let us, in our sermons as Muslims, deal with contemporary issues and proffer solutions. If not, humanity can be in a big problem,” he added.
Hamzat also raised concerns about the readiness of today’s youth for adulthood. “We are now raising children that are not ready for life,” he said.
The Chief Imam of Adangba Central Mosque, Ejigbo, Lagos, Abdulrahman Adangba, also addressed the gathering, speaking on the theme “The Distress in Family Values and Morality in Our Society: A Multidimensional Approach.”
He urged Nigerians, especially Muslims, to embrace truthfulness, proper management, and reliance on Allah as essential virtues for societal transformation.
He emphasized the importance of cultivating homes built on peace and integrity, stating, “External peace in society fosters internal stability.”
Adangba further called on Nigerians to uphold values that promote positive morals, ensuring that these principles are passed down to future generations.