ADEBULE URGES PARENTS, RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS TO INCULCATE MORAL KNOWLEDGE IN YOUTHS TO REDUCE CRIMES
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule has observed that one of the ways the growing crime rate and social unrest among youths in the country can be curbed is for parents and religious institutions to intensify efforts in character training and inculcate in the youths good moral knowledge that will give them new orientation and see the need to conform with the societal norms.
The Deputy Governor made the observation at the weekend while speaking at the grand finale of the Lagos State Annual Quran Recitation Competition organised by the National Council of Muslim Youths Organisations (NACOMYO) at the Lekki Central Mosque, Lekki, Lagos.
Adebule, who expressed happiness at the fast rate at which young children and adults have memorised Quran, noted that crime rate would reduce when younger ones are taught the doctrines and principles of their religion at tender age and when they are well enlightened on the consequences of deviating from those principles.
She, therefore, urged parents and religious institutions to strengthen efforts in inculcating in the youths good moral and religious practices that will edify their minds against evil or wrong doing for the growth of the society.
While commending NACOMYO for its various efforts at propagating islam, the Deputy Governor stated that the annual Quran competition by the body has gone a long way to simplify the teaching, learning and memorization of the holy Quran and called on other Islamic movements to join hands in spreading the principles and teaching of islam as a religion of peace so as to disabuse the minds of those holding contrary opinion about the religion.
Adebule attributed the current insurgency and high crime rate among youths to loss of moral and religious value in the society and called on religious institutions and leaders of various religions to reappraise the situation and channel their efforts towards a reorientation and ethical rebirth that will bring lasting peace to the society.
In her words, “It is on this note that I call on parents, clerics, religion institutions and leaders of various organisations to come together and let us chat a new course towards giving a new orientation to our youths, Let us engage them in the teaching and preaching of our religions, let them know the preaching and importance of the holy books. By doing this, they will know what is right, they will have the fear of the Almighty God at heart and do away with what is evil”.
While pledging the commitment of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration to peaceful co-existence among all tribes and religious faithful in the state, she urged the leaders of various faith to continue to preach peace, love and harmony, adding that no individual or body would be left out in the all-inclusive governance of the present administration.
Earlier, NACOMYO Co-coordinator, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Muheeb Abdul Fatai stated that the annual Quran recitation competition usually formed part of the preparation in the state to screen, select and prepare participants for the annual national Quran memorization competition.
According to him, the competition is a novelty invented by the centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto in 1987 to revive the consciousness of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah on the importance of Quran memorization as the foundation of the science of the Quran, Islamic Knowledge and Theology.
The event was well attended by top government functionaries, members of the National Assembly, representatives of various Islamic groups, and students among others.