Parents, Imams Charged to Lead by Example at Odo-Ayandelu

Leaders and parents were urged to lead by example, as community morals reflect personal integrity.
Worshippers were reminded to sustain righteousness and avoid sin beyond Ramadan and Lent.
Attendees were encouraged to practice gratitude, honesty, unity, and live prepared for Allah’s accountability.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the 2026 Annual Ramadan Lecture at the Odo-Ayandelu Central Mosque,Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, Lagos State, evolved into a powerful call for moral rebirth, responsible leadership, and sustained spiritual discipline among worshippers.

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With the theme “The Importance of Imam and Alfa in Islam – Kini Ojuse Imam ati Alfa ni Awujọ wa,” the lecture deeply examined the duties of religious leaders and extended the responsibility of moral guidance to parents and community stakeholders.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem (Yepe) emphasized that leadership must begin with self-cultivation and integrity. According to him, society cannot rise above the moral standard of its leaders.

“An Imam is not only the one who stands in front during prayer; he must stand in front in character, patience, and truth,” he said. “What you do not have, you cannot give. If we desire righteousness in our community, we must first practice it ourselves.”

He described Ramadan as a divine training institution designed to discipline the soul, suppress negative desires, and strengthen compassion for others. However, he warned that the impact of Ramadan must not end with the month.

“If something is sinful during Ramadan, it remains sinful after Ramadan,” he declared. “Our worship must not be seasonal. It must reflect in our daily dealings, our homes, and our leadership.”

The guest lecturer also stressed gratitude as a key principle of faith, urging worshippers to appreciate Allah for visible and invisible blessings.

“We must always be grateful for what Allah has done and never feel bitter about what we did not receive. There are countless things we did not even ask for, yet He granted them,” he said.

Turning attention to parents, he described them as the first teachers in every home, noting that character formation begins within the family structure.

“Every parent is a lecturer. Your children are watching you. They will copy what you do, whether good or bad,” he cautioned. “If you want respectful children, show respect. If you want disciplined children, practice discipline.”

He further admonished religious clerics to avoid rivalry, public quarrels, or insulting one another, particularly on social media platforms.

“It weakens the message of Islam when clerics fight themselves publicly. We are called to unite people, not divide them,” he stated.

The lecturer also preached strongly against repaying evil with evil and bearing false witness, warning that false accusations and malicious speech destroy both individuals and communities.

“Do not pay bad for bad. Avoid false testimony. Turn away from what Allah considers evil and embrace what is good,” he urged. “Death can come at any time. The best preparation is a life of consistent righteousness.”

Earlier, royal fathers including Oba Asunmo Aderibigbe reiterated the importance of sustaining the Ramadan lecture as a moral compass for the community, while Oba Abdulganiyu Olusegun Awokoya Yesufu emphasized that supporting the mosque is an investment in future generations.

Also speaking, Oba Olukayode Raji, JP, and Oba Oladipupo Kabiru Badejo encouraged both Muslims and Christians to uphold the values of Ramadan and Lent consistently, stressing that righteousness should not be limited to sacred seasons alone.

The gathering concluded with special prayers for unity, peace, and sustainable development in Odo-Ayandelu, Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, Lagos State, and Nigeria at large, as participants renewed their commitment to moral discipline and God-conscious living.