…Seeks Sustenance Of Ramadan Virtues
Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari has called for cultural transformation and an end to wicked and inhuman widowhood rites imposed on Nigerian women, just as she said that widows must henceforth not be subjected to any form of discrimination or sexual abuse.
Mrs. Buhari, who made the call in Lagos at the celebration of the Widow’s Day organized by the United Nations Information Centre and Hope for Life Foundation, lamented the life-threatening widowhood rituals to which Nigerian women were subjected, adding that such must stop in overall interest of the advancement of the society.
Mrs. Buhari, who was represented at the event by Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, equally advised widows to seek economic empowerment to live above cheap temptations.
Delivering the UN Secretary-General’s address, Director of United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria, Mr. Ronald Kayanja commended Lagos State Government for providing the model to follow regarding the welfare of women and children.
He also urged everyone to support the widows by not stigmatizing against them.
Mrs. Buhari, at another event, where she was represented by Mrs. Ambode, called on Muslims across the country not to abandon the spirit of Ramadan after the fasting period.
Mrs Buhari, who said this while distributing Ramadan gifts to members of NASFAT, Ansar-ul-deen and the Hausa community in Lagos, noted that the call became imperative in view of the need to encourage the people to imbibe right virtues.
She said Ramadan represents love, peace, forgiveness, peaceful co-existence and extending helping hand to the less privileged, hence the need for sustenance of such virtues.
She said that the holy Prophet held those tenets in high esteem and lived his whole life around them, adding that the entire sacrifice of fasting would only achieve its purpose if Muslims continued with those principles beyond Ramadan.
Mrs Buhari further said that Nigeria was in dire need of peaceful co-existence, unity and mutual love to strengthen the social bond and to help the country overcome all challenges.
According to her: “The lessons of Ramadan should go beyond the fasting period. As Muslims, we must carry on the banner of love, peace, friendship and mutual co-existence beyond the season. It is only by doing so that we can strengthen the social bond between us and keep the country united to overcome all challenges.”
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chief Missioner, NASFAT society of Nigeria, Shelk Abdullahi Akinbode thanked Mrs. Buhari for her kindness and for staying connected with people at the grassroots from far-away Aso Rock.
He assured that the beneficiaries would use the fasting period to re-connect properly with Allah and carry the principles of the holy month beyond the period of fasting.
