17th June, 2015
As Muslims in Nigeria join their counterparts the world over to mark the commencement of the Holy Month of Ramadan, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has called for strict adherence to the dictates of Islam.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Habib Aruna, Mr Ambode said the Holy Month of Ramadan signifies a month of piety and total abstinence from food and all vices for all believers.
While urging that the period of abstinence should also accentuate orderly behaviour and obedience to constituted authority, the Governor said with the fear of God, people will obey all laws.
He said all Muslims must ensure that the abstinence from all vices which is embraced during the Ramadan period should become an everyday affair because in doing so each person would be at peace with him or herself.
The Governor, who also used the occasion to preach peaceful coexistence among all residents of the state, added that it is only in a peaceful atmosphere that all plans and programmes of the present government can be actualized.
“At this critical period of nation building, the lessons of the Holy Month of Ramadan must permeate all actions and deeds of the people in such a way that each person serves as his brother’s keeper always,” the Governor said.
He said it should also be a period of rededication to the ideals of nation building by the entire citizenry, especially at this period when the majority of Nigerians have expressed their choice at the polls for a change which must be total and all encompassing.