In the spirit of Ramadan and Lent, and as part of his ongoing commitment to giving back to society, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, distributed food items, cash, and school bags to more than 5,000 residents of Ibadanland.
Beneficiaries went home with cash and essential foodstuffs including rice, beans, semovita, garri, maize, and noodles, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the monarch.
Represented at the event by his wife, Olori Rashidat Ladoja, the Olubadan’s generosity was highlighted as a long-standing tradition.
Olori Ladoja noted that the gesture has been carried out annually for the past 20 years, with this year marking the first since Oba Ladoja’s ascension as Olubadan, reaching a record number of beneficiaries.
She described the monarch as a leader who prioritizes the welfare of his people, both during his time as Senator and Governor, and now as Olubadan.
Several beneficiaries—including elderly men and women, youths, and children—prayed for the Olubadan and his family, thanking them for consistently putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged.
The Member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, Mr Aderemi Oseni, has called for renewed and fervent prayers for Nigeria’s unity, peaceful co-existence, and prosperity.
Mr. Oseni made the appeal in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Idowu Ayodele, to felicitate Muslim and Christian faithful on the commencement of the holy seasons of Ramadan and Lent.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described the simultaneous observance of the two sacred seasons as a powerful reflection of the shared values of sacrifice, discipline, humility, and compassion that bind Nigerians together.
He emphasized that the lessons of self-denial, humility, and service embedded in Ramadan and Lent should guide not only personal conduct but also leadership culture and civic responsibilities across the nation.
Mr Oseni stressed that Nigeria’s progress depends on collective commitment to unity, tolerance, and mutual respect, urging citizens to use the sacred period for reflection, reconciliation, and renewed dedication to nation-building.
Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive representation and people-centred development, the federal lawmaker pledged to continue championing initiatives that promote growth and improve the welfare of constituents in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.
He wished Muslim and Christian faithful a spiritually rewarding Ramadan and Lent, expressing optimism that the sacred seasons would usher in renewed hope, stronger unity, and national prosperity.
His Imperial Majesty, Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I), has urged Muslims and Christians to use the ongoing fasting seasons of Ramadan and Lent to pray for the progress and unity of Nigeria.
The appeal was contained in a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Solomon Olugbemiga, to mark the simultaneous commencement of the Ramadan and Lenten fasting periods.
The monarch reminded adherents of both faiths that Ramadan and Lent are rooted in sober reflection, forgiveness, kindness, discipline, peaceful coexistence and spiritual renewal.
He described the overlap of the two sacred periods as a divine signal for unity and religious harmony.
“The convergence of Ramadan and Lenten periods is not a mere coincidence but a divine arrangement to show the world the need for unity, love, tolerance and mutual understanding among the faithful,” the royal father said.
Oba Ladoja stressed that fasting goes beyond abstaining from food and drink, urging worshippers to also shun hatred, indecent conduct and harmful speech.
He called on residents of Ibadan, the Yoruba race and Nigerians at large to seize the moment to pray for leaders and for the nation, particularly amid prevailing security and socio-economic challenges.
The first-class monarch expressed appreciation for the support he has received from religious leaders and faithful since his enthronement as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, and urged continued prayers for unity, peace, security and economic revival in Ibadanland and across the country.
A preacher at Saint Anne’s church, Molete, Ibadan, Mrs Idowu Ogungbemi has advised mothers to continue to train their children to shun the many vices prevalent in the world today.
Mrs Ogungbemi gave the advice in a sermon in the church during this year’s celebration of mothering Sunday .
Speaking on the theme,”Acceptable Service unto the Lord”,Mrs Ogungbemi said nurturing a child in a godly way is part of service unto God.
She, therefore, said the evidence of successful mother is godly children
She urged mother’s not loose hope over a bad child but continue to pray for such a child until the child changed.
Mothering Sunday which is celebrated annually worldwide on the fourth Sunday of Lent.
It is also a day to honour mothers and mother churches.
On mothering Sunday, Christians are expected to visit their mother churches where they are baptised.
Children are also expected to give their mothers gifts on the occasion of mothering Sunday.
It is observed that at the service only women officiated.
Highlights of the service was the presentation of gifts to mothers who were all gaily dressed in blue and white.
There always comes a time in the life of a Christian when he sets himself apart for self-examination, soul searching, and sober reflection towards attaining spiritual growth.
One of such times is the Lenten period; a time set aside by the ecumenical church in preparation for Easter, which is the remembrance of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Lent begins with observance of Ash Wednesday when Christians have ashes like the sign of a cross applied to their foreheads as a mark of humility, submission and brokenness before god.
By so doing, it is believed that the faithful is identifying with Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death to deliver humanity from sin and eternal condemnation.
The Lenten season is therefore characterized by forty days of fasting and prayer, a practice adopted from Jesus Christ when he fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness, in preparation for his earthly ministry.
Though, not all Christian denominations observe lent, it is mostly recognized by the Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Anglicans.
During this season, Christians abstain from food, drinks and all manners of worldly pleasure as a form of spiritual discipline.
They also use the occasion to study the Bible and pray more.
The goal is to strengthen their faith, have a renewed life, and develop a closer relationship with God.
it is equally a period when faithful shares their God-given resources with the needy.
However, more importantly, is the fact that these sacrifices should remind Christians of the greatest sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for the redemption of mankind.
At such a time as this, the Lenten season ought to be seen as a period when Christians take time to pray for the country and its leaders.
No doubt, the situation and challenges all around call for sober reflection and genuine repentance by all, in light of God’s word in 2 Chronicles chapter 7, verse 14 which says, “if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”.
Therefore, the church, as change agent should not just observe this lent as a mere ritual but one capable of ushering in national rebirth through fervent prayers and attitudinal change by all.
Every Nigerian should appropriately apply the lessons of lent to their daily lives to bring positive changes to the society and nation at large.
If well observed, lent as a solemn period of prayers, fasting, and abstinence is capable of attracting God’s mercy upon Nigeria and drive away all forces of disunity, disintegration, insecurity, socio-political and economic instability.
The Lenten season is usually for a period of six and a half weeks before Easter, and provides for a 40-day fast in which Sundays are excluded
It is a solemn religious observance in the Christian calendar which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends the night before Easter Sunday.
Sundays are excluded from days of fasting in the Lenten season.
On Ash Wednesday, priests gather ashes from the previous Palm Sunday and rub them on congregants’ foreheads.
It is a time of preparation and focus, as well as reminiscent of Jesus Christ’s time in the wilderness.
The purpose of lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayers, repentance of sins, almsgiving, and self-denial.
Some churches that observe the forty days fasting are catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and some Pentecostal churches few churches equally observe the last 7 days of the Lenten season.
The last week of lent is holy week, starting with Palm Sunday.
In Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, radio Nigeria microphone caught up with some residents who spoke on the Lenten season
Speaking on the Lenten season, the pastor in charge of first Baptist church, Odo Ona Elewe, Ibadan, the reverend Samson Ayorinde, pointed out that Christians should use the season to ask for mercy for the world
The reverend Ayorinde equally advised Christians not to go back to their sinful acts after the Lenten period
The Lenten period will end on the third of April, 2021
