Former Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has emphasized the critical link between economic empowerment and the ability of individuals to engage meaningfully with their faith.
While speaking at the 30th anniversary lecture of Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih (NASFAT) in Lagos, Fashola asserted that providing people with the means to live with dignity is paramount, stating, “A man cannot pray on an empty stomach, and if he prays, it will be hard for him to concentrate.”
Delivering a lecture themed ‘faith, social justice, and economic empowerment: pathways to a better world,’ the former Lagos State governor shared that ensuring citizens have a sustainable source of income is the true essence of social justice.
He argued that genuine empowerment goes beyond mere handouts, such as tricycles and motorcycles, and should instead focus on creating opportunities for people to earn a living wage and protect their dignity.
“We must understand that a society that empowers people to earn is a society that protects dignity,” Fashola stated. “The real empowerment is in creating a sustainable source of income and not giving out tricycles and motorcycles. Empowerment should improve quality of lives and living.”
Furthermore, Fashola cautioned against the misuse of faith for divisive purposes, stressing the importance of promoting a faith grounded in positive deeds, thoughts, and actions.
He described social justice as a divine compulsion rather than an optional or Western concept, advocating for justice to become a national ethic.
In conclusion, Fashola’s address connected the spiritual well-being of citizens to their economic realities, asserting that true faith and societal progress are intertwined with the ability of individuals to live with dignity and have their basic needs met.
His emphasis on the need for genuine economic empowerment resonated with the lecture’s theme, painting a picture of a better world built on the foundations of faith, social justice, and economic opportunity.
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