Lagos deputy Gov. Hamzat, Sen. Shekarau advocate FBOs collaboration on good governance
By Oluwatope Lawanson
L-R: Mr Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, Former Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prof. Rauf Adegbola, 2nd Vice President NASFAT, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos Deputy Gov., Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike, Chief Missioner of NASFAT, and Alhaji Babatunde Salau, Member Board of Trustees, NASFAT
Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Gov. of Lagos State, has called on Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) to go beyond esoteric teachings in their preaching and embrace more realistic contents designed to promote decency and better behaviours.
Hamzat made the call at a workshop organised by Nasrul-Lahi-L-Faith Society (NASFAT) tagged : “Good Governance” at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday.
The deputy governor also called for a new attitude toward solving the myriad of challenges besetting the nation.
According to him, “a fundamental problem with the nation is the issue of failed parenting which further challenges the emerging breed of Nigerians.
He urged FBOs to also call on members to actively engage in politics.
Hamzat opined that religion does not bar anyone from being a politician but that they should be responsible and be of good behavior.
“They should allow their principles and conviction guide and drive what they do in government.
“If they into are bad practices, they have no moral justification to complain,” Hamzat explained
He listed the nation’s challenges as including a lack of “coincidence of want” adding that nepotism would take the nation to nowhere.
He said: “Nigeria should prioritize competence in every facet of our national life. Also, merit is very important and as a people, we should not ignore merit and lower our standard.
“Our system should not encourage indolence and relegate hardwork. ”
He stressed the need for citizens to be united to solve the nation’s problems rather than fighting each other.
The deputy governor observed that the era of fighting government and becoming a hero as in the days of colonial rule was long gone.
He advised Nigerians to stop gratifying violence and wrong doings, while calling on FBOs to use their platforms to engage in rebuilding the moral fabrics of our nation.
Also speaking, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau (APC- Kano Central) said that good governance required government introducing and implementing policies and programmes that are people-oriented and guarantee easy access to food to its citizens.
Shekarau, also the former governor of Kano State said that that the essence of government is to serve humanity.
The former governor therefore urged the government to embrace love for the people founded on honesty, sincerity of purpose, truth and good conscience.
He noted that the principles of good governance includes, accountability, open participation, political stability, rule of Law and effective governance.
According to him, “the war on corruption should be given the pride of place and unless the government eliminates corruption, it will not be able to establish good governance.
He therefore, called on FBOs to charge their members to always come out to cast their votes during elections. (NAN)
