—Says family-centric, grassroots solutions key to national development

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasized the critical role of core family values in fostering national development, describing them as the cornerstone for building a strong society.

He made this call over the weekend during the Muslim Family Summit in Abuja, where he highlighted essential values such as love and mercy between spouses, harmony at home, and viewing marriage as both a spiritual commitment and an act of worship.

Other values Shettima outlined include practicing kindness, seeking knowledge and guidance, and recognizing the family’s role in shaping individuals and society. He stressed that strengthening traditional family structures is a grassroots solution to addressing Nigeria’s social and economic challenges.

Represented by Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Shettima delivered a speech titled “In Defence of the Family Order.” He recommended marriage counseling as a means of equipping couples with the tools to build stable homes.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima explained, “Marriage is not just a worldly institution but an act of worship,” drawing from Islamic teachings and reminding the audience of 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, adding that families play a critical role in producing individuals who either strengthen or undermine the moral fabric of communities.

He underscored the importance of adhering to Islamic principles in family life, suggesting that such teachings could address many of the 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,” the Vice President said.

Shettima concluded by calling on the Muslim community to guide the current generation of couples, expressing hope in the gathering of scholars and experts at the summit who shared best practices rooted in the Qur’an and Hadith.

The Muslim Family Summit, attended by scholars, experts, and members of the public, serves as a platform to discuss family life best practices based on Islamic teachings.