The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, on Wednesday called on religious bodies to engage Nigerians on moral living and attitudes that would rebuild our youths and the country.
Hamzat gave the advice when some leaders of religious organisations paid him visit in Lagos.
The deputy governor said religious organisations were very important in any society, saying that they played critical role by impacting lives of their followers.
He said that it was key to bringing about social change in the society.
Hamzat, therefore, charged them to assist the state government in propagating the good intention of government to people as they listen more to them through their sermons and preaching.
While decrying the level of social vices and moral decadence in the society, Hamzat urged religious leaders to always use their sermons and various teachings, charged their followers on morals, family values and caring about others.
“We notice these days that as people, we have lost the family values. It is only our religious leaders that can help us to bring it back.
“On Fridays, we should preach about family and living well. We know the numbers of Mosques and Churches in the state, if we sermonise it, it will be good,” the governor said.
He said that no matter the number of infrastructure provided by the state government, if the issue of social vices and moral decadence were not addressed, it would all be efforts in futility.
“So, our religious leaders should sensitise the society on the need to keep our environment clean,” Hamzat said.
He commended religious groups for their various impactful programmes and collaboration with the government through various life-changing programmes like women empowerment, youths, health missions and skill acquisition programmes.
Hamzat said the state government was open for discussion with any organisation or body willing to partner with it on any programme that would make life more meaningful for Lagosians.
Earlier, religious leaders had pledged their commitments to collaborate with the state government in attaining its T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, meant to bring about transformation in the lives of the citizens.
Religious organisations that visited the deputy governor include Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Lagos State Council; the Muslim Congress, Lagos State and the Nasrul-lahi-li Faith Society of Nigeria (NASFAT).