Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for a revival of core family values as essential to Nigeria’s national development. Speaking at the Muslim Family Summit in Abuja, he emphasised that love, mercy, and spiritual commitment within families are crucial for societal stability.
“Every family plays a role in producing individuals who either uphold or threaten the moral fabric of our communities,” Shettima stated. He advocated for marriage counseling, describing it as a guide to viewing marriage as an act of worship rather than merely a social contract.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the VP Shettima represented at the summit by Special Adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), Aliyu Umar, while highlighting the Quranic perspective, he urged adherence to Islamic principles, asserting, “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.”
Emphasisung that adherence to these teachings could serve as a solution to many of the social issues facing the nation, the VP said, “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.
In his speech titled, “In Defence of the Family Order,” Shettima recommended marriage counselling for equipping couples with the knowledge and skills needed to build stable homes.
“Its mission is more than a reality check—it is a guide, steering us towards embracing marriage not just as a worldly institution but as an act of worship,” he explained.
The summit gathered scholars and community members to discuss best practices rooted in Islamic teachings, reflecting Shettima’s vision for a family-centric approach to address Nigeria’s pressing social issues. “As I call upon the Ummah to recognize the urgent need to guide this generation of couples,” he added, “I find hope in this gathering of scholars and experts who share best practices rooted in the Qur’an and Hadith.”