Vice President Shettima Highlights Family Values As Key To Nigeria’s National Development

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday emphasized the importance of family values in promoting national development, calling them the foundation for building a strong society.

Speaking at the Muslim Family Summit in Abuja over the weekend, Shettima highlighted key 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 he mentioned included being kind, seeking knowledge and guidance, and recognizing the family's role in shaping individuals and society. He stressed that strengthening traditional family structures was a grassroots solution to Nigeria's social and economic challenges.

He also suggested marriage counseling as a way to help couples build stable homes, as per the official statement issued on X.

Shettima explained that marriage was not just a worldly institution, but also an act of worship. He referred to Islamic teachings and reminded the audience that the Quran viewed marriage as a source of peace.

He said that the family was more than just a social unit; it was the foundation of moral and social order in society. Shettima emphasized that families played a vital role in shaping individuals who can either strengthen or weaken the moral values of their communities.

The vice president highlighted the importance of following Islamic principles in family life, suggesting that these teachings could help solve many social problems in Nigeria.

Shettima also warned that if families were built on a weak foundation, they risk losing everything. However, when families were based on strong Islamic principles, they became a fortress that protects the values people cherish.

He urged the Muslim community to help guide the current generation of couples. He expressed hope in the gathering of scholars and experts at the summit who shared effective practices based on the Qur'an and Hadith.

The Muslim Family Summit -- which included scholars, experts, and members of the public -- provided a platform to discuss best practices for family life based on Islamic teachings.

Last week, the vice president noted that the number of girls dropping out of school in northern Nigeria was very concerning and emphasized the importance of prioritizing education in the country.