Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasized the importance of core family values in promoting national development, describing them as the foundation for building a strong society. He made this statement during the Muslim Family Summit held in Abuja over the weekend.
Shettima highlighted essential values such as love and mercy between spouses, harmony within the household, and the view of marriage as both a spiritual commitment and an act of worship. He also underscored the importance of kindness, the pursuit of knowledge, and the family’s pivotal role in shaping individuals and society.
Represented by Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Shettima delivered a speech titled “In Defence of the Family Order.” He advocated for marriage counseling to equip couples with the necessary tools to create stable homes.
In a statement from his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima explained that marriage is more than a worldly institution; it is an act of worship. He drew from Islamic teachings, emphasizing the Quranic perspective of marriage as a source of tranquility.
“The family is not just a social unit; it is the pillar of moral and social order in society,” Shettima noted, stressing that families significantly influence the moral fabric of communities. He asserted that strengthening traditional family structures is a grassroots solution to Nigeria’s social and economic challenges.
Shettima urged adherence to Islamic principles in family life, suggesting that such teachings could effectively address many social issues facing Nigeria. “When we build the family on the wrong foundation, we risk losing everything. But when we raise it upon sound Islamic principles, it becomes a fortress that preserves the values we hold dear,” he stated.
He concluded by calling on the Muslim community to guide the current generation of couples and expressed hope for the collective wisdom shared by scholars and experts during the summit, all rooted in the Qur’an and Hadith.
The Muslim Family Summit, attended by scholars, experts, and members of the public, provided a platform for discussing best practices in family life based on Islamic teachings.