Insecurity: Keep close tab on your children, Sanwo-Olu’s wife tells parents
[FILES] Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-olu. Photo; TWITTER/JOKESANWOOLU
Lagos State first lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, urged parents and guardians to keep a close tab on activities of their children and wards and be more security conscious, in view of recent developments in the country.
Speaking at a special Eid-El-Fitr celebration organised by the state government to officially mark the end of Ramadan, held at Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu said it was important for parents, especially women, to talk to their children and also intensify prayers for the peace and development of Nigeria.
According to her: “Lagos, as we all know, is a lovely and loving place to be. We accommodate all the different tribes and ethnic groups. We thank God that this month of Ramadan has been a period where we can look inward, pray more; be more of our brothers’ keepers and take care of one another.
“The same message goes to so many numerous women out there. In any gathering, we find ourselves that we have been able to keep ourselves together in peace and harmony, rendering selfless service to one another, we should remember our country, Nigeria in our prayers more regularly than before because there is a lot prayer can do. We should not give up; we should believe that we have someone up there that is more powerful.
“More importantly, as parents and guardians, we must keep a close tab on the activities of our children and wards. We all have to be vigilant and ‘say something when we see something.’ You are your first security. It starts with the individual and more than before, we must be thoroughly and extremely observant.”
The first lady described Ramadan as a period that emphasises the virtues of love, tolerance, forgiveness, brotherhood, sacrifice, self-denial, piety, and generosity, among others, just as she urged the people to imbibe the lessons of the season.
“Beyond Ramadan, it is important for us to imbibe and sustain the principles of the holy month, which among others, include peace, kindness, compassion and happy co-existence. The holy Prophet held these principles in high esteem and lived His whole life around them.
“We must allow all these virtues to be reflected in our actions, public conduct and inter-personal relations with everyone around us. This way, we will improve on the cordial relationship that exists among the various ethnic groups and adherents of different religions in our state,” she said.
In his goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, said the event spoke to the uniqueness, oneness and inclusiveness in the state, and above all love and reverence for God.
He said his administration had always relied on God for guidance and support in all its affairs, adding that he viewed religion as a veritable tool to attain good governance.
“We have kept the partnership with religious bodies, and have continued to improve in our relationship as we identify with those things that unite us as a people. Today, we have come together to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitri as a people, across all divides and to say loudly to all, that religion in this part of the world can only be a source of strength, unity, progress and development for us,” he said.
He urged religious leaders to continue to preach religious tolerance among the congregations. The event was attended by community leaders, as well as Islamic leaders in the state, led by the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Abu-Nolla, while there were Quranic rendition and musical entertainment by Sauti Arewa, Gawat, Alake Twins and Queen Kafilat Olohungbebe, among others.
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