The President-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), and Olowu of Owu-Kingdom, Oba(Prof.)⁶ Saka Adelola Matemilola, has felicitated with Muslims in Ogun State, across Nigeria, and around the world on the commencement of the glorious month of Ramadan on Wednesday
The monarch in a statement by the State Muslim Council's Social/Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Adekunle, also extended warm greetings to Christians as they commenced the season of Lent on the same day
Oba Matemilola in the statement, expressed profound joy over the coincidence of this year’s Ramadan with Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian faith.
He described the rare convergence as a powerful reminder of our common values and the importance of strengthening inter-faith harmony and mutual understanding among adherents of the two major religions.
According to the monarch, 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 to the world the true essence of faith through peaceful coexistence, compassion, and collective responsibility towards nation-building.
Oba Matemilola therefore urged Muslims to take full advantage of the numerous spiritual, moral, health, economic, and social benefits inherent in the Ramadan fast.
He emphasized that beyond abstaining from food and drink, Ramadan is a period that calls 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, the President-General called on 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 traditional ruler further appealed to Muslims and Christians in Ogun State and Nigeria at large to use this exceptional period to jointly promote activities and collaborations that foster peace, unity, tolerance, and mutual respect.
He stressed that religion should remain a force for harmony and national development rather than division.
Oba Matemilola cautioned adherents of both faiths to remain vigilant and not allow themselves to be 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 continue to protect and preserve the long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence.
The OMC President-General also called on the faithful to use the sacred period to offer special prayers for leaders at the local, state, and federal levels, seeking divine wisdom, guidance, and strength for them to govern with justice, fairness, and compassion.
He 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.
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