Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on Nigeria’s religious leaders to change their sermons, pointing out that Nigerians listen more to them than the government.

He charged religious leaders to engage Nigerians, especially their followers, on the importance of building strong family structures for a better nation.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, said, “It was time for clerics and religious leaders to change their sermons.”

On Friday, Mr Sanwo-Olu gave the charge at a special jumat service to commemorate the 61st national independence held at the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa.

He added, “This is by stressing on how to protect the environment by imbibing right attitudes and be law-abiding, among others. It is time to change our sermons to how do we protect our environment and other positive attitudes.

“This is because people listen more to their religious leaders than the governments, especially in Nigeria, as they are taken as role models.”

He noted that the religious leaders are listened to by the people rather than the government, urging them to use their pulpits to sensitise the citizens on family values and the need always to be their brother’s keeper.

Mr Sanwo-Olu added that family values had been lost and must be rejigged and strengthened for national development.

He cited poor parenting as being responsible for some of the challenges and social vices in the country, which had now become a threat to the people as a nation.

The governor charged parents to take proper responsibility for the upbringing and training of their children.

The governor added that government could build roads, schools, and other infrastructure, “but the way parents train their children is important.

(NAN)