The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has called on Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) to go beyond esoteric teachings in their preachings but embrace more realistic contents designed to promote decency and better behaviours.
Hamzat made the call at a workshop organised by the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Faith Society (NASFAT) tagged : “Good Governance” at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State, on Sunday.
The deputy governor also called for a new attitude toward solving the myriad of challenges besetting the nation.
According to him, “One 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 said that religion did not bar anyone from being a politician but that they should be responsible and be of good behaviours.
“They should allow their principles and convictions to guide and drive what they do in government.
“If they are into bad practices, they have no moral justification to complain,” Hamzat said.
He listed the nation’s challenges to include: lack of “coincidence of want” adding that nepotism would take the nation to nowhere.
He said : “Nigerians should prioritise competence in every facet of their 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 hard work. ”
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)0 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 would require government introducing and implementing policies and programmes that would be people-oriented and guarantee easy access to food to its citizens.
Shekarau who is also the former governor of Kano State said that the essence of government is to serve humanity.
The former governor, therefore, urged the government to embrace love founded on honesty, sincerity of purpose, truth and good conscience for the people.
He noted that the principles of good governance included: accountability, open participation, political stability, rule of law and effective governance.
According to him, “The war on corruption should be given a pride of place and unless the government eliminates corruption, it will not be able to establish good governance.”
He called on FBOs to charge their members to always come out to cast their votes during elections.
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