The President-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola, has congratulated Muslims in Ogun State, across Nigeria, and around the world on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan.
He also extended warm greetings to Christians as they begin the Lenten season.
Oba (Prof.) Matemilola, who is the Olowu of Owu, expressed profound joy over the coincidence of this year’s Ramadan with Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent in the Christian faith.
In a press statement issued by Alhaji Hassan Adekunle, Social and Publicity Secretary of OMC, the monarch described the rare convergence as a powerful reminder of shared values and the need to strengthen interfaith harmony and mutual understanding among adherents of the two major religions.
According to the traditional ruler, both Ramadan and Lent are periods devoted to deep spiritual reflection, self discipline, sacrifice, charity, and renewed commitment to the worship of Almighty God.
He noted that the simultaneous observance presents a unique opportunity for Muslims and Christians to demonstrate the true essence of faith through peaceful coexistence, compassion, and collective responsibility towards nation building.
Oba (Prof.) Matemilola urged Muslims to take full advantage of the numerous spiritual, moral, health, economic, and social benefits inherent in the Ramadan fast. He stressed that beyond abstaining from food and drink, Ramadan is a period for increased devotion, fervent prayers, acts of charity, support for the less privileged, strengthening of family and community bonds, and the cultivation of virtues such as patience, humility, and righteousness.
Similarly, he encouraged Christians to use the Lenten season as a time of reflection and renewal, urging them to emulate the exemplary life of Jesus Christ through acts of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and service to humanity, not only during Lent but also in their daily lives thereafter.
The monarch further appealed to Muslims and Christians in Ogun State and across Nigeria to use this exceptional period to jointly promote activities that foster peace, unity, tolerance, and mutual respect, emphasizing that religion should remain a force for harmony and national development rather than division.
Oba Matemilola also cautioned adherents of both faiths to remain vigilant and avoid being used by individuals or groups with selfish or destructive agendas capable of destabilising the peace and unity of the state and the country.
He noted that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity and urged citizens to protect and preserve the long standing tradition of peaceful coexistence.
He called on the faithful to offer special prayers for leaders at the local, state, and federal levels, seeking divine wisdom, guidance, and strength for just, fair, and compassionate governance.
The monarch added that prayers should also be offered for the peace, stability, unity, and sustainable progress of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.
While wishing Muslims a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan and Christians a meaningful Lenten season, Oba Matemilola prayed that Almighty God accepts their acts of worship, grants their supplications, and blesses Ogun State and Nigeria with enduring peace, prosperity, and development.
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Sponsored
