Ramadan, Lent Should Deepen Unity, Compassion, Shettima Tells Nigerians

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians to use the concurrent observance of Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season as a platform to укреп strengthen national unity and promote compassion across religious and social lines.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Shettima described the period as a rare opportunity for spiritual renewal and collective nation-building, urging citizens to go beyond religious rituals and actively engage in addressing the country’s pressing challenges.

“Let us not only feed the hungry, but uplift the weary; not only give charity, but extend kindness; not only pray for peace, but work for justice. This is the true essence of Ramadan,” he said.

He described Ramadan as “a journey of the soul” and a time for deep reflection, self-purification, and the embodiment of Islamic values such as peace, patience, sacrifice and service to humanity.

The vice-president also paid tribute to Nigeria’s religious leaders across faiths, describing them as the nation’s “moral and spiritual compass,” and acknowledging their critical role in shaping the country’s ethical foundation during a period when both major religious communities are engaged in spiritual discipline.

Calling for prayers for national stability, Shettima urged Nigerians to strengthen the bonds that unite them and resist divisive forces. He also appealed for prayers for President Bola Tinubu, asking for divine guidance to grant him “wisdom, strength and foresight to pilot the affairs of our great nation.”

He stressed that the shared spiritual season should serve as a reminder that unity, compassion and collective responsibility remain essential to Nigeria’s progress and peaceful coexistence.