Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has called on Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion, to come together in fighting insecurity and other challenges facing the country.

The Deputy Governor made the call on Sunday while speaking at the Y2021 Annual Ramadan Lecture of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Council with the theme “Insecurity: The Impact on Socio-Economic Development of the Nation” held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Dr. Hamzat stressed the need for Nigerians to shun all forms of tribalism, ethnicity and religious bigotry, urging all Nigerians to come together as one united entity to fight insecurity so that the country can progress.

He said: “This issue of being a Fulani, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo must stop. We must act together as one. If we are united in that purpose, then it is very easy for us to solve it. But, we must, first of all, agree that we want to live together as a people”.

“Nothing meaningful will happen if there is insecurity in the country. The biggest threat to humanity is when you don’t have peace of mind. You can’t do anything, you can’t sleep, you can’t think and that is what insecurity brings. So as a people we must come together and fight our challenges so that we can survive as a nation”, he added.

Speaking further, the Deputy Governor opined that there is no problem that humanity cannot solve, stressing that if Nigerians are united in purpose, it would be very easy to resolve all issues presently facing the nation.

Hamzat said: “The reality is that I don’t know any problem humanity cannot solve. We have seen many profound situations around the world that were resolved. So, there is really is no issue that we cannot resolve but there must be a unity of purpose”.

He, therefore, called all Nigerians to love one another as it is only in an atmosphere of love and peace that the nation can overcome insecurity and other challenges facing the country.

Speaking on the topic, “Insecurity: The Impact on Socio-Economic Development of the Nation”, the Guest Lecturer and National Missioner of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and Overseas, Sheik Abdur-Rahman Olanrewaju Ahmad, berated the recent increase in insecurity and challenges bedevilling the country.

He noted that this has brought a lot of negative impact on the socio-economic development of the country as many companies have closed down leading to unemployment in the country, and many citizens are now living in fear and panic.

The Cleric called on the government at all levels to spend more on internal security, engage the citizens more productively, and embark on massive and rapid infrastructure development, adding that security agencies in the country must be united and harmonised in intelligence gathering and information sharing.

Sheikh Ahmad further urged the government to do everything to ameliorate the sufferings of the people from the prevalent hardship in the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, Lagos State Council of the Society, Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Olabode Salaudeen, urged Muslims to use the Holy Month of Ramadan to purify their minds, body and spirit.

He said fasting during Ramadan is vital to developing qualities of empathy and compassion, becoming more aware of their intrinsic connection and oneness with human beings, regardless of borders or labels that create differences.

Salaudeen, therefore, urged every Muslim to maximise the opportunity presented by the Ramadan period to get closer to Allah, seek His favour and perfect their godliness towards one another.