Inter-Faith parley: Discussants call for check on flamboyant lifestyles

Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, middle at the Inter-Faith Parley in Lagos

Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, middle at the Inter-Faith Parley in Lagos


By Uchenna Eletuo/Lagos

Some leaders of faith-based organisations have called for a check on flamboyant lifestyles that could not be backed by legitimate earnings.

This, they argued, would discourage get-rich-quick syndrome in the society.

They made the call at the on-going 2021 inter-faith parley organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs.

Prof. Ishaq Akintola of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) said censoring flamboyant lifestyles was necessary to forestall social baits that made such style trendy.

Discussants at the Inter Faith parley in Lagos

He said that if peoples’ sources of wealth and excessive spending were censored, probity would be entrenched.

Akintola said that the bedrock for a sane society should begin with moral censorship.

“Our youths are emulating what they see the older generations do and internalise such societal deformity with ease.

“By the time the society de-emphasises excessive lifestyles or at most begin to reject donations from such characters then will youth be humane and toe the line of due diligence in their quest for wealth,’’ he said.

Also speaking at the session, Pastor Basile Ibeh said regulatory authorities should ensure public officials live within their earnings to discourage corruption.

She noted that public officials who had looted the treasury went about displaying their ill-gotten wealth with impunity.

“Such trend, if allowed to continue, would only encourage self-aggrandisement to the detriment of the larger society,’’ she said.

In her contribution, Mrs Mutiat Orolu-Balogun, a lawyer, said people who indulged in flamboyant lifestyles that could not be backed with legitimate incomes should be prosecuted.

Orolu-Balogun urged states and the Federal Government to enact laws to cage such people in places where they could be rehabilitated.

The theme of the parley was: “Achieving greater Lagos: Role of religious bodies.’’

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, called for a moral revival among citizens to promote peace and security necessary for the progress and development of the nation.

He said it is pertinent to ensure that youths are not misled into towing the wrong path, just as parents must pay close attention to the morality of their children and wards.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat at the parley, said the erosion of moral values in the society has become a source of concern to citizens and governments across the country.

While commending the religious leaders for their continuous support, the Governor admonished the clergy to relentlessly preach love and peace among people and also develop a tolerance for others, irrespective of their differences.

He reassured the religious leaders of his administration’s commitment to responsive and responsible governance that will continuously create an enabling environment for peaceful co-existence amongst various faiths and worship centres.

In his address, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, urged the religious leaders to use their weekly sermons to promote unity, peace and love for a peaceful and harmonious co-existence in the nation.

He stressed that issues of peaceful coexistence should be accorded priority in their daily teachings, saying “Your weekly sermon on unity, peace and love must resonate with the people on a weekly basis, while obedience to rule of law and commitment to our Lagos project must remain sacrosanct”.

Load more