Prof. Onibon's Iftar Lecture For TAG Foodbank Calls For Compassion And Unity In Nation-Building

• Former Deputy VC laments erosion of societal values, prioritization of self-interest
• Reminisces about a time when basic needs were affordable and security prevailed
• Urges collective effort, drawing inspiration from faith and service to uplift the nation

Eko Hot Blog reports that in a thought-provoking address during the 5th Annual Ramadan Lecture and Iftar Session organized by the Taibat Adunni Garbadeen (TAG) Foodbank Foundation, Professor Nosiru O. Onibon, the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Epe Campus, issued a clarion call for compassion, unity, and a renewed commitment to nation-building.

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Speaking before a distinguished gathering, Prof. Onibon expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to convene, urging attendees to approach the discourse with a spirit of compassion and mercy towards one another. He lamented the concerning erosion of these virtues in contemporary society, where individuals increasingly prioritize personal gain over collective well-being.

“For over 23 years, we have been engaged in efforts to alleviate poverty, yet the scourge continues to plague our land, growing stronger with each passing day,” Onibon stated, drawing attention to the paradox of many claiming to serve God while their actions contradict these professed beliefs.

In a poignant reflection on the past, the former deputy VC recalled a time when the simplest of commodities were within reach, and a mere two and a half kobo could sustain a secondary school student for an entire day. “Alas, the present reality is starkly different, as the escalating costs of living render such scenarios virtually impossible, a direct consequence of our collective disregard for the well-being of others,” he lamented.

Onibon also reminisced about an era when the streets were safe to traverse even in the depths of night, and children could engage in leisurely games without fear, a testament to the thriving 24-hour economy and prosperity that once reigned supreme.

However, he emphasized that the hardship the nation currently faces is not an isolated phenomenon but a culmination of collective actions and inactions. “Each one of us has contributed, in varying degrees, to the challenges that now confront us,” Onibon asserted.

Acknowledging the imperative to address this reality, the former deputy VC called for necessary adjustments, rejecting the delusion that progress can be achieved through self-interest alone. “True progress demands a conscious effort to prioritize the well-being of others, even at the expense of personal gain,” he urged.

Onibon implored attendees to draw inspiration from the timeless wisdom of their faiths and the examples set by those who have walked the path of service before them. He advocated for cultivating a renewed sense of compassion, empathy, and genuine concern for fellow human beings, emphasizing that only through this collective consciousness can a truly prosperous, just, and equitable society be built.