Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the critical role of core family values in driving national development.
Speaking to an audience of scholars, experts, and members of the public, Shettima highlighted the importance of love, mercy, harmony, and balance in the home, calling these values the bedrock of a healthy society and a thriving nation.
Shettima’s address, titled “In Defence of the Family Order,” outlined a holistic view of marriage and family life rooted in Islamic teachings.
He urged couples to see marriage not merely as a contractual arrangement, but as a spiritual commitment and an act of worship.
He emphasized that a family built on a foundation of kindness, good character, and mutual respect plays a pivotal role in shaping individuals who contribute positively to society.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Aliyu Modibbo Umar, the Vice President noted that Nigeria’s current social and economic challenges demand a return to traditional family structures.
He argued that the restoration of these values could provide a grassroots solution to many of the issues facing the nation.
“The family is not merely a social unit; it is the pillar of moral and social order in any society. Every family plays a role in producing individuals who either uphold or threaten the moral fabric of our communities,” Shettima stated, pointing out the link between strong families and a stable society.
He also advocated for the institutionalization of marriage counselling, suggesting it as a means of equipping couples with the necessary knowledge and skills to build and sustain stable homes.
“Marriage counselling should be seen as more than just a reality check—it is a guide that steers us towards embracing marriage as both a worldly institution and an act of worship,” Shettima added.
The Vice President grounded his argument in Islamic principles, reminding the audience that the Quran describes marriage as a source of tranquillity.
“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 stressed.
Shettima concluded by commending the gathering of scholars and experts for their commitment to promoting family values, calling on the Ummah (Muslim community) to take collective responsibility in guiding the next generation of couples.
“I find hope in this gathering of scholars and experts who share best practices rooted in the Qur’an and Hadith,” he noted, expressing confidence in the ability of such initiatives to contribute to national well-being.
The Muslim Family Summit, a key event for discussions on family life based on Islamic teachings, has become a vital platform for addressing contemporary challenges faced by families in Nigeria and beyond.
The summit serves as an opportunity to explore practical solutions to issues like divorce, domestic harmony, and the moral upbringing of children, all within the framework of Islamic values.
